Sir Delius will put his unbeaten record beyond 1800m in Australia on the line in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
The imported stayer was Cox Plate favourite after winning the Underwood Stakes and Turnbull Stakes in the spring, but it is a title he doesn’t carry going into the Ranvet.
Aeliana, the Verry Elleegant Stakes runner-up, is a $1.70 top pick with Sir Delius at $2.80 as he readies for his second run back after being ruled out of the Melbourne Cup by the Racing Victoria scans.
“We had to do a bit to get him cleared [from ban for failing the scans] and it took its toll,” said Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse.
“The first run back was always going to one that builds his fitness, and he took so much benefit from it.”
“We know that he gets to his distance on Saturday.”
Sir Delius was beaten 3-3/4 lengths when third in the Verry Elleegant after sitting on near the speed, but had to watch as Autumn Glow and Aeliana raced away with the benefit of having a run under their belts.
“He did something similar in the spring in Chelmsford [where he was beaten in a photo by Lindermann], and it was a springboard into the Underwood,” Bott said.
“He has improved at home and is ready for the 2000m, he is going to peak for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but he will run a big race on the weekend.”
“He just enjoys the tempo at 2000m.”
Sir Delius is part of an outstanding book of rides for Craig Williams on Slipper day.
He will be on Rosehill Guineas favourite Observer and Golden Slipper equal favourite Chayan as well as Pericles in the George Ryder Stakes and three-year-old filly Inkaruna in the Galaxy.
