Craig Williams has seen the improvement he wants in Sir Delius heading into Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick, but he is still asking the question everyone else is. Is the import good enough to beat Autumn Glow.
In Sydney for the week with his kids, Williams was sightseeing after leaving Randwick on Tuesday morning happy with what he felt from Sir Delius.
The import has had one target for the autumn, the Queen Elizabeth, and after thirds in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes he continues to step up.
WATCH: Sir Delius’ run in the Ranvet
“Adrian [Bott] has done a great job with him. I rode him seven days ago, and you could feel the improvement he has made. He is ready for Saturday,” Williams said.
“I think everyone is trying to find a way to beat Autumn Glow. She is obviously very good, but my horse is showing all the right signs, and that is all I can worry about.
“I left the track feeling very confident.”
Sir Delius started the autumn as equal Queen Elizabeth favourite with Autumn Glow, but the gap has widened between them with every run this campaign.
He drew barrier three for the Queen Elizabeth, next to Autumn Glow in two, and now shares the second line of betting with Ranvet and Tancred Stakes winner Aeliana at $6.
Autumn Glow remains the $1.40 top pick as she looks for a 12th straight win to start her career, a mark only Black Caviar has reached in recent times.
Williams will spend the week exploring Sydney, with his kids set to be at Randwick on Saturday.
“It’s exciting. They don’t come to the races too often, so it would be good to get a winner with them there,” Williams said.
“They are up here for the week, so it will be good to have some time with them.”
Williams also has a good chance on Juja Kibo, a Chairman’s Quality placegetter last Saturday, in the Sydney Cup.
Williams admitted he was disappointed after the Chairman’s, but Ciaron Maher’s response changed his opinion.
“I thought he was a little flat when they sprinted on Saturday and was expecting more,” Williams said.
“I came back and Ciaron was very happy with him and is very confident he will run the two miles.
“The form for the Cup is around the same group of horses and he has been thereabouts, running good races against them.
“I think the extra trip is not going to worry him and Ciaron, who knows his horses so well, believes he is spot on for Saturday.”
