The Cox Plate is ‘not completely off the table’ for Sheza Alibi after trainer Peter Moody received an emotional handwritten letter from a futures punter this week.

The Pakistan Star can reveal that Moody was ‘visibly moved’ after receiving the letter — accompanied by a 20c coin — which implored the trainer to consider the $6 million weight-for-age Cox Plate as the mare’s primary spring target, over the $10 million Golden Eagle at Randwick.

Despite some reports questioning the authenticity of the correspondence, this masthead has viewed the letter and can confirm its veracity. Along with the 20 cent coin taped to the page — which the punter hoped might help ease the significant prizemoney discrepancy between the two races — the letter also featured a hand-drawn image of Sheza Alibi passing the Flemington winning post.

“Some things are just bigger than racing,” an anonymous stable source said.

More to follow.

Full letter:

Dear Mr Moody

Please run Sheza Alibi in the Cox Plate. If I can get this futures bet up it will give me a lifetime of happy memories. This mare will eat the Flemington 2000.

I know the Golden Eagle is worth more prizemoney, but I have attached the last 20 cents from my punting bank in the hope that it might help change your mind.   

Yours faithfully,

A fellow Queenslander