Current Cox Plate favourite Sir Delius is progressing smoothly towards his spring campaign, with co-trainer Adrian Bott thrilled by the star galloper’s recent trial efforts.
The three-time Group 1 winner has been building towards his return after enjoying a spell following his victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the autumn.
Sir Delius resumed in a 1000-metre Randwick trial on July 31, finishing second behind Oh Diamond Lil and ahead of fellow Group 1 winner Autumn Glow.
Bott said the son of Frankel had returned in excellent order and appeared sharper than ever.
“I thought he looked really good in the trials there the other day,” Bott told SENTrack & RSN’s Giddy Up.
“He seems a bit sharper this preparation, looks great in his actions, and stretched out really well. He’s recovered nicely off the back of the trial.
“I’m delighted with the preparation for him to date, just the way he’s coming in for us… I think he’s in really good shape.”
Despite the encouraging performance, Bott said Sir Delius will have two more barrier trials before returning to the races.
“We’ll probably give him another two trials, just make sure he’s got the right foundation before we see him kick off,” Bott said.
“He was still relatively quiet there the other day.
“We’ll just keep asking a bit more of him, with the view of kicking him off over a mile first time out.
“That’s the path and pattern we’ve followed with him previously and that seems to be working well for him.”
Sir Delius is expected to resume in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington before progressing towards the Cox Plate third-up.
“At this stage we’re going down (to Melbourne) to kick off in the Makybe Diva,” Bott revealed.
“And we are looking to get to the Cox Plate third-up for us!”
Sir Delius currently heads the Cox Plate market at $3.50 with leading betting apps Australia, ahead of Aeliana at $4.50, while the remainder of the field is quoted at double-figure odds.
For the Makybe Diva Stakes, Sheza Alibi heads the early betting at $2.10, with Autumn Glow ($4.50), Aeliana ($6) and Sir Delius ($6) among the leading contenders.