Sheza Alibi Ends 27-Year Wait, First Three-Year-Old Filly Since Sunline to Win Doncaster Mile

Sheza Alibi ended a 27-year wait at Royal Randwick to become the first three-year-old filly since the legendary Sunline to win the $4 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile, storming home from near last to beat Autumn Boy by a commanding 4¼ lengths.

The Saxon Warrior filly, trained by the Pakenham partnership of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman, began the 1,600-metre handicap from barrier 13 in a 16-horse field before jockey Jamie Melham produced a devastating finishing burst that settled the race with authority. Her journey to this moment had started far more modestly: a $10,000 purchase price after failing in a debut maiden at Rockhampton.

Sheza Alibi's $1.90 starting price made her the shortest-priced three-year-old filly favourite for the Doncaster in over a century, going off shorter than Sunline herself, who started at 10/9 ($2.10) in 1999. TAB Fixed Odds spokesman Tim Ryan had predicted as much beforehand: "I would not be surprised if Sheza Alibi starts shorter on raceday as she is very popular with punters." Under handicap conditions she carried just 49kg, 5.5kg below weight-for-age for a three-year-old filly, though the margin of victory rendered any weight conversation secondary.

Moody, who guided the unbeaten Black Caviar throughout her career without often showing much outward emotion, was visibly moved after the race. His description of his champion was blunt: "She is so nondescript. She doesn't stand out in the yard. She doesn't stand out at home in training. She is just a tradesman, she's got a great hip, a big deep girth and a hell of a lot of ability." Coleman, who had flagged the Doncaster as the logical target after the Randwick Guineas, offered a quieter verdict heading in: "She just hasn't missed a beat."

Melham, a Melbourne Cup winner securing his second Doncaster Mile after first claiming it aboard Cascadian in 2021, reportedly said he had "sat on some very special horses before" but that Sheza Alibi's display was on another level. The wide draw at barrier 13 never appeared to concern him.

Saturday's result was Sheza Alibi's fifth straight win and seventh from 10 career starts. Her preparation included the G2 Angus Armanasco Stakes, the G2 Sandown Guineas, and the G1 Randwick Guineas on March 7, where she beat Autumn Boy by 3.2 lengths. The same rival chased again on Doncaster Day and finished 4¼ lengths back.

The victory also opens new ground for sire Saxon Warrior, a Coolmore dual Group 1 winner by Deep Impact out of the Galileo mare Maybe, who last shuttled to Australia in 2022. Sheza Alibi is his first Group 1 winner in the Southern Hemisphere.

Only 35 fillies and mares have won the Doncaster Mile since the race was first run in 1866. Sunline achieved the three-year-old filly version of it at just her 12th career start, then returned to win again as a four-year-old. Winx won the 2016 edition as a four-year-old at $1.80. In the 27 years between Sunline and Saturday, no three-year-old filly had answered the Doncaster's call. Sheza Alibi, the $10,000 Rockhampton reject, finally did.