Gai Waterhouse has won virtually every feature race on the Australian calendar yet one race has eluded racing’s First Lady’s grasp: the Cox Plate.
However, Waterhouse is the punters’ elect to finally recognise that dream when Sir Delius ($4.40f) contests this weekend’s Group 1 2040m feature at Flemington.
Waterhouse is the daughter of legendary trainer T J Smith, who won the Cox Plate a record seven times.
“I’ve got a space on the mantelpiece already,” Waterhouse said.
“He (Dad) didn’t tell me much (about how to win), he just kept winning them.
“I’ve had a lot of good chances, only recently Alligator Blood (who finished third in 2023). You can go back 30 years. They’re hard to win.”
Sir Delius’ tilt is tinged with redemption after vets ruled him out of last year’s Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup with unsatisfactory CT scans.
His owner, Sir Owen Glenn, remains angry about the decision and is unsure of whether he will be on course this weekend.
The entire has run fourth at two runs this campaign, his most recent behind Cosmic Crusader ($8.50) in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) three weeks ago.
“The track was affected and the speed was on. It could easily be on, on Saturday, but he came out of it very well. Nothing dents my confidence,” Waterhouse said.
“I think it’s particularly strong (this Cox Plate) with a lot of depth. Every single one of the horses in the race deserves to be there.
“I think the big track will suit him and it’s his home track, which is a big plus.”
+ Father-son training combination Sean and Jake Casey are aiming at a local feature double this weekend when they prepared favourites in both the Belgravia Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on Saturday and Northam Cup (1600m) the following afternoon.
Last season’s champion two-year-old Beatty warmed up for his sophomore year with a 1000m trial victory at Belmont on October 12 and has been supported from $3.60 into $3 for the Belgravia.
The colt has lost only once in five starts when an unlucky second in the Karrakatta Plate behind Afireofgidgeecoals.
Aberdeen Flyer ($2.40f) holds the market call in the Northam Cup after enduring a chequered first-up passage at Ascot a fortnight ago.
He will enter the race with only 54kg and much less than market dangers such as Royal Toronado ($5), Cool Memory ($6.50), Oly’s Choice ($7.50) and Elite Missile ($9).
+ Mad Monday has been strongly backed into $1.55 favouritism for the Group 2 4yo Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park on Friday night.
The impressive front-runner scored a boastful first-up triumph at the track last week and although positioned in barrier four, he has drawn to advantage of both Runkle Crunch (gate five, $3.20) and Cyclone Jordy (nine, $5.50).
The Team Bond-trained pacer will be scrutinised for his effort in the 4yo Classic by prospective Eureka slot holders after it was announced the entire would consider heading to Sydney for the richest race in the southern hemisphere.
Meanwhile, Victorian three-year-old Soho Trump has secured a flight from Melbourne to Perth for Friday week’s Group 1 WA Derby.
The Robert Watson-owned colt ran eighth in last weekend’s Victoria Derby at Melton and is priced at $6.50 for the October 30 contest.
“He’s come through it well and the flight became available, so we’re giving it a crack,” Watson said.
“Obviously, like so many of the big races, especially at Gloucester Park, his chances will come down to the barrier draw.
“He loves to be up front or leading in his races. He’s fast out and if he can lead, I think he’ll give this (WA) Derby a real shake.”
I’m Stealthy is a hot $2 favourite after his Western Gateway win, though $3.30 chance Havtimeformiki was unbelievable in defeat that night.
Former Kiwi-based pacer Kotare Rimu ($10) will attempt a first-up Derby bid should he gain field selection.