Turnbull Stakes tilt on path to the 2025 Melbourne Cup

High-priced import Sir Delius will step out in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington as he continues his campaign towards the Melbourne Cup (3200m), fulfilling the ambitions of owner Sir Owen Glenn.

The current Melbourne Cup favourite was among 66 horses confirmed after first declarations closed on Tuesday, keeping alive his spring carnival mission.

Waterhouse outlined the instructions given to her by Glenn earlier this year.

“He said to me at the start of the year you’ve got three things – win me a Golden Slipper, which I’ve done that, win me a Cox Plate, I said I haven’t done that, and win me a Melbourne Cup and I said I’ll work on it,” Waterhouse said.

“He’s at stage of his life, he travels around the world, he loves sport and to be able to pull this off for him would be a dream come true for him and the other owners.

“And it would be nice to get both of them.”

Lady Of Camelot’s Golden Slipper victory in 2023 ticked off one goal, while Glenn’s colours also finished in the frame for both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup with Criterion in 2015. Sir Delius, acquired for significant money, has been set on a path similar to Fiorente’s in 2013.

Forgoing the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m), Sir Delius will contest the Turnbull before advancing to the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and ultimately the Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse believes the horse shares many attributes with her previous Cup champion.

“In his temperament, the size of the horse and his demeanour,” Waterhouse said.

“He’s a very handsome horse and Fiorente was a handsome horse and a very nice horse to train.

“I have never won a Cox Plate, so it would be a dream come true and he’s a horse that could do that as he’s got a wonderful turn of foot as we saw at Caulfield.”

The entire had a solo gallop at Flemington on Tuesday morning, striding out over the final 1200m.

“I thought he worked very well,” Waterhouse said.

“He was leisurely in his gallop, but very happy and I liked the way he went right through the line.

“After his Underwood win he looks bigger and stronger and pulled up in good condition. You like them to be at their winning weight, and he certainly looks good.

“The people paid a lot of money for the horse and it’s nice when they deliver.

“He’s on the right track for the Melbourne Cup which was the whole point of why we bought him.”

Defending Cup champion Knight’s Choice is absent after a strangles outbreak ended his preparation, but other big names remain in the mix. Waterhouse and Bott’s Vauban is still in the field, as are Via Sistina and Al Riffa, while ‘Golden Ticket’ winners Deakin, Parchment Party and Revelare also stay in contention among nine international runners.

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