Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s highly-priced import, Sir Delius, will make his Australian debut at Doomben this Saturday, marking the start of his Spring Carnival campaign.
The four-year-old, a son of Frankel, previously raced in France under Jean-Claude Rouget, winning a Group 3 at Chantilly and placing third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris. Sir Delius’ last start in France was in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where he finished midfield. Shortly after, he was sold for $2.7 million to Waterhouse, Bott, and their owners.
“We bought him originally as a Cup prospect,” Bott said, with plans to target the Melbourne Cup depending on how the horse adapts to Australian racing.
Sir Delius has won two of his three barrier trials in Sydney and has impressed Bott with his early speed. “He looks very well placed in it, distance is in the right spot for him first-up,” Bott added ahead of his first race in the G3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap.
Ridden by Tim Clark, Sir Delius will start from barrier six.
