Adrian Bott confident Sir Delius can shine versus top rivals in Queen Elizabeth Stakes
Sir Delius's autumn schedule has revolved around one primary target, requiring him to navigate past a pair of top-class mares and a seasoned global contender, but trainer Adrian Bott insists the horse is set to hit top form.
Bott is unsure if it will suffice against Autumn Glow, Aeliana and Dubai Honour, but he foresees Sir Delius delivering his finest showing this prep in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
"He has been building well. He's right on track now and hopefully we'll see him run a personal best this preparation," Bott said.
"Some of his best performances in the spring still may not be enough with the form Autumn Glow is in, but in saying that, it's different conditions to what they met at last time.
"I expect it to be a decent pressure race. I feel he's at his best now this prep to perform well.
"This is the run and the race where we've tried to have him peaking."
After triumphs in successive events, the Underwood (1800m) and Turnbull Stakes (2000m) in spring, Sir Delius's Melbourne Cup dreams ended abruptly due to failing essential Racing Victoria veterinary examinations.
Owners had to abandon the prep midway, with Bott explaining it necessitated race experience to reach peak condition now.
"We were able to go into the spring off the back of a Queensland campaign and had residual fitness early in that preparation," he said.
"We've come off a longer break and it's taken a bit of time to build into that. It was unsuitable at the mile first-up and he showed improvement second-up when we just gave ourselves a bit to do."
In his latest start second-up, Sir Delius was held wide from the gate in the Ranvet Stakes (2000m), but Bott looks for him to settle handier from barrier three on Saturday.
He considers flawless Autumn Glow the danger, yet notes her debut at this trip in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes could offer an edge.
"It's new ground for her, if we're trying to find anything to grasp onto," Bott said.
"I have respect for her, not just her. Aeliana was very good last start. Lindermann even prior to that. It's a proper weight-for-age 2000 metre race."
Past Queen Elizabeth Stakes have seen shocks, such as Intergaze beating Octagonal at Randwick in 1997 for his last run, and Grand Armee upstaging Lonhro in 2004.
Check the online bookmakers for the best markets on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
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