Sir Delius reigns supreme in the 2025 Turnbull Stakes

Sir Delius has stormed into favouritism for the Melbourne Cup after a statement victory in Flemington’s Turnbull Stakes.

Widely seen as a key pointer, the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) once again proved decisive, with Sir Delius shortening for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4 and pressing toward the top of the Cox Plate (2040m) market for October 25—headed only by Via Sistina.

From a testing draw and after a cluttered run, Craig Williams lifted the $7 chance to a 1-¾ length success over Antino ($9.50), with the $2.60 favourite Via Sistina close up in third.

The Turnbull trifecta sets up a tantalising rematch in the Cox Plate, which Via Sistina claimed by eight lengths last spring. At that point Sir Delius was still in Europe, fresh off tackling the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.

Secured for $2.7 million by clients of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott to target the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cups, the Frankel entire has now won three of four starts in Australia, including two at the elite level.

“He’s put on condition. He’s relaxed more and whatever he runs in, they’re going to have to beat him,” Waterhouse said.

“He’s a most exciting horse.”

Praising Williams’ daring mid-race choices, Waterhouse highlighted the pivotal move.

“He had a wide draw, and he (Williams) elected very quickly, which he said to me he might, to come in midfield and then he got caught in a pocket.

“Any lesser jockey would not have got out of, but the waters opened, and he went boom. That was the exciting part, the boom.”

Williams said the execution matched the stable’s belief.

“In Group 1 races, you don’t think you can win like that, but we were very confident he could do it,” Williams said.

“We had the outside barrier draw. Gai and Adrian were very good about having an open book without too much pressure about riding him.

“I had to use a few carrots to find a spot, but when the chips are down, this horse is a winner.”

On stretching to two miles, Williams is keen to take advantage of the light impost.

“I just said you will never have 55-½ kilos in the Melbourne Cup again,” Williams said.

“I worked him during the week at Flemington, and he walked out and he owned the track.

“He owns everything he does and today you saw that attitude. He puts the writing on the wall when under pressure against these top horses, and he’s delivering.”

If you’re planning a punt on the Turnbull Stakes or plotting ahead to the Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup, check the best betting sites, trusted betting apps and top Australian bookmakers first.