Sir Delius is set for a rest after his trainer Gai Waterhouse resisted the temptation to race him in Sydney.
Sir Delius was the favourite for the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup before Racing Victoria stewards withdrew him from both races.
The 5-year-old failed a number of scans that showed him at risk of serious injury, according to Racing Victoria. The stable were due to meet with Racing Victoria this week regarding the next steps. Racing NSW had been waiting for vet summaries and other key information.
Sir Delius was nominated for the Craven Plate in Sydney this weekend and there was a view he might run in the Five Diamonds in Sydney.
Waterhouse said on Wednesday they would not risk their star.
“After discussing Sir Delius with the ownership group, Adrian and I have made the decision to spell him and set our sights on the autumn carnival. He’s an extremely valuable horse and one we firmly believe will continue to prove he’s the best weight for age performer in Australia. Bring on the $5mil. Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes,” she said on X.
While he was nominated for the Craven Plate in Sydney, it is understood Racing NSW vets and stewards placed certain requirements on him to have the RV embargo lifted.
Racing NSW had not been given all the veterinary summaries about Sir Delius from his scans, but had been briefed by their southern counterparts, according to Racing Victoria.
“The stable have been appraised of the scans, a summary of the specialist reports and the requirements for the horse to return to racing so they are across all the relevant details,” a Racing Victoria spokesman told Betsy.
“Racing NSW were briefed on the issue and return to racing requirements as is standard practice. [They] have been advised that the stable has the scans and summary report.”
“Opportunity now exists for any jurisdiction to engage directly with the stable on the suitability of their horse to race, which we understand RNSW is doing.”
