Sir Delius could race in Sydney during the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are taking a cautious approach with Sir Delius as they await further veterinary assessments following Racing Victoria’s decision to rule the stayer out of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The entire underwent mandatory CT scans last week ahead of the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4, with Racing Victoria’s diagnostic imaging panel — comprising specialists from Australia, the UK, and the USA — determining he was at a heightened risk of injury. As a result, stewards officially withdrew him from the remainder of the spring.
Sir Delius had been a key contender for both the Cox Plate (2040m) and the Melbourne Cup, and co-trainer Adrian Bott said the news came as a blow to the stable. “We’re still assessing the report and what it means for this campaign and future ones,” Bott said. “We’ll gather more information before deciding what direction we take.”
Bott said that while the findings were unexpected, the horse appeared to be in excellent condition physically. “Outwardly, he seems in great shape,” he said. “We’ll take our time to process the information and make the best decision for the horse moving forward.”
One option under consideration, should Sir Delius be cleared to continue racing, is a tilt at the Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill on November 8. “It’s not confirmed, but if he keeps racing, that would be a logical target,” Bott said. “We just need to wait for all the facts before committing to any plan.”
Racing Victoria has placed an embargo on Sir Delius racing in the state, pending further review, while Racing NSW is in communication with RV regarding any potential interstate implications. Chief steward Tom Moxon said, “We’ll consider any embargoes and veterinary findings from RV before making our own determination. Until they complete their review, we won’t be finalising any decisions.”
For the latest updates, betting markets, and bookmaker promotions on the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate, visit Australia’s top betting sites.
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