Sheza Alibi and Autumn Glow are finally facing off against each other in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday at Randwick.

Many pundits believe these two mares are the best horses in Australia, but who will go one-nil up in their first clash against one another?

According to the odds, Autumn Glow is more likely to win their contest, being at $1.90 with Sportsbet, while the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained four-year-old is at $3.

Speaking on SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up, Moody agreed with market, explaining that the Chris Waller-trained bay is the benchmark and his mare will need to rise to Autumn Glow’s bar.

“This is Sheza Alibi’s first crack (at Weight-For-Age). She won a big handicap (the Doncaster) as a three-year-old with no weight on her back,” Moody stated.

“She was ultra-impressive (in the Doncaster), but Autumn Glow's the benchmark, she's the best horse in the country. We've got to lift our bar.

“And for people to suggest that Autumn Glow wouldn't continue to improve are kidding themselves because mares keep getting better at five, six and seven-years-old.

“So, I'm sure Autumn Glow's going to present bigger and better than she was. We're going to have to really lift the bar.”

Regarding why the decision was made to race the son of Saxon Warrior against the five-year-old so early in her prep, Moody explained that they want to learn where they sit in the food chain of Australian thoroughbreds.

“It certainly makes for an interesting start to the season, doesn’t it?” exclaimed the co-trainer.

“For me, it makes it a bit easier for our programming going forward because let’s be honest, we’re taking on the best horse in the country with the best trainer in the country and the best jockey in the country.

“If we can be ultra-competitive or lucky enough to beat them, the world's our oyster, and we can go anywhere, we're chock-full of confidence.

“Whereas, if she beats us comprehensively, and not thinking that it's a two-horse race in any way, shape or form, we can duck and weave a bit and place our mare to advantage and not kid ourselves.

“We are very respectful that we are taking on the very best, so we're not kidding ourselves.

“We're not thinking we go there, just win and just beat her and be the dominant horse. We're going there to learn where we sit in the food chain.”

The 2025 Doncaster Mile winner drew barrier 1 for the Group 1 on Saturday – something which Moody admitted will “need a lot of luck”, but he isn’t too displeased with the barrier.

“Hey, listen, they only get worse from gate one, don't they!” exclaimed Moody.

“Usually you've got to cover more ground from the further you get out. So, I'd rather be there (barrier 1) than gate 15, but you do need a lot of luck.

“Gate one cost me an Everest a few years back with I Wish I Win.”

The co-trainer also revealed that Sheza Alibi’s Grand Final is “still eight or nine weeks away at the back end of October”, likely referencing the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on October 31.

Blinkers will also likely remain on mare for the entirety of the Spring Racing Carnival unless something goes wrong, according to Moody.

The Group 1 Winx Stakes kicks off at 4:30pm AEST on Saturday.

Listen to Peter Moody’s full interview on Giddy Up below:

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