Shinn hands out a tip for smart Alizee
BLAKE Shinn concedes there is one horse that stands out among his outstanding book of nine rides at Rosehill tomorrow – Alizee.
“I’m excited to be back aboard Alizee, she is one of the best mares in Australia,’’ the champion jockey said.
Godolphin mare Alizee was the $1.90 favourite in Ladbrokes’ market last night to win the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m).
Shinn has only ridden Alizee once but the brilliant mare left an indelible impression on him with her dominant win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes at Rosehill last month, sprinting clear of Le Romain and Trapeze Artist to win by two lengths.
“Alizee was dynamic in the Expressway, she defeated some genuine Group 1 horses and won with ridiculous ease,’’ Shinn said.
“The track was a soft seven that day which gives me a bit of extra confidence going into (tomorrow) because we are going to have another wet track, although hopefully it won’t be as heavy as last week.’’
The James Cummingstrained Alizee followed her Expressway win by taking out the Group 1 Futurity Stakes before her third in the AllStar Mile at Flemington two weeks ago.
She returns to a set weights and penalties race for mares and does look extremely well placed with only 5kg over the 54kg limit.
Shinn, who is chasing his fifth Emancipation Stakes after previous wins on Perfect Promise (2005), Skyerush (2012-13) and Zanbagh (2016), said Alizee had the class to overcome her wide barrier (10) and top weight.
“Alizee only needs even luck because she has such brilliant acceleration,’’ he said.
Shinn’s Group 1 rides are at double-figure odds tomorrow but the jockey is keen on the chances of Scarlet Dream ($12) in the Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and Nettoyer ($19) in the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m).
The jockey has only ridden Scarlet Dream once in the filly’s five-start career but has a huge opinion of her emerging potential.
“I love this filly, she has really good staying ability,’’ Shinn said.
“The further she goes, the better.”
I’M EXCITED TO BE BACK ABOARD ALIZEE, SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST MARES IN AUSTRALIA BLAKE SHINN