Victory in the Herbert Power Stakes has provided imported galloper Delphi with a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup.
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper moved to the fourth line of betting at $9 with TAB for next week’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) with his victory in Saturday’s Group 2 race over 2400m.
Incentivise heads the Caulfield Cup market at $2 from Group 1 Might And Power runner-up Nonconformist at $7 and Young Werther at $8.
Sent out the $1.95 favourite under Damien Oliver in the Herbert Power Stakes, Delphi scored by a length from The Chosen One ($11) with Hasta La War ($17) a further length away third.
Delphi drops from 57kg to 52.5kg in the Caulfield Cup and Oliver said the stayer was a live chance in the 2021 Caulfield Cup.
“I think he’ll give it a shake,” Oliver said.
“He can put himself up on the pace, he’s got no weight and he can sustain a gallop.
“When you get horses in good form out of this race, I think you’ve got to really consider them.”
Oliver is without a ride in the Caulfield Cup but hopes Colette can put her hand up in the Group 3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on Wednesday to show she is back on track following a foot abscess.
Sam Freedman said it was a credit to the ownership group of Delphi for their patience with the stayer.
He said Delphi had a few issues when he first arrived.
“They’ve done everything that was required,” Freedman said.
“We took him up to Queensland and he’s been in work for a very long time, but he’s come through a tough system, so he’s used to that.
“And I don’t think the back-up (into the Caulfield Cup) shouldn’t bother him.
“He’ll give it a shake. He’ll make them earn it and if he sits even closer to the speed, he might be even better suited and really make them run some good sectionals.”
