The Ranvet Stakes is being billed as a match race between Aeliana and Sir Delius, whose trainer Adrian Bott is banking on a three-week break between runs to have him up for the fight.
While last year’s ATC Australian Derby winner is odds-on for Saturday’s 2000m contest, Sir Delius remains a clear-cut second pick at $3.30 and the only rival regarded as a genuine threat.
The Tulloch Lodge gelding was favourite for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup last spring before he was controversially ruled out of the Victorian carnival after failing mandatory veterinary tests.
His third behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) on February 28 was his first appearance in almost five months and Bott reported the horse had taken significant benefit from the hit-out.
“Three weeks, it has been that real sweet spot to get him to where we need him to be stepping out to 2000,” Bott said.
“He is out to his right trip now, and he has shown the necessary improvement. I’m ready to see him bounce back.”
Bott is under no illusions about the task Sir Delius faces against Aeliana, who has been outstanding in two return runs.
Prior to the Verry Elleegant, she was runner-up to Autumn Glow in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) and will be bidding to atone for a hopelessly unlucky second to Broadsiding in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on the corresponding program last year.
Bott went so far as to declare that Sir Delius would need to reproduce the efforts that led to him claiming the Group 1 double of the Underwood and Turnbull Stakes in the spring if he was to give Aeliana a run for her money
“The mare was very sharp last start, and she has been excellent this campaign,” he said.
“We’re going to need to recapture that spring form to be getting to that point of beating her, but I do feel he’s on his way there.”
Barn mate Alalcance is a dual acceptor for the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and the Manion Cup (2000m) on the undercard.
With promising stayer Campaldino to represent the stable in the latter, Bott admits the small Ranvet field is a temptation as it presents a genuine opportunity for the free-bowling mare to bank a top three finish in Group 1 grade.
“A smaller field at weight-for-age level, it might be a chance for her to try to improve her value with some black type, and she is very good around that 2000 metres,” he said.
