Gai Waterhouse targets first Cox Plate win with Sir Delius

Trainer Gai Waterhouse is seeking her first Cox Plate victory as her horse, Sir Delius, prepares to compete in the Group 1 2040m feature at Flemington this Saturday. The race is being held at Flemington due to reconstruction at Moonee Valley.

Sir Delius enters the race following a controversial withdrawal from last year’s Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup after CT scans indicated a heightened risk of injury. While owner Sir Owen Glenn remains dissatisfied with that decision, Waterhouse expressed confidence in the horse’s maturity and fitness.

Despite two fourth-place finishes earlier this spring campaign, Waterhouse believes the larger track at Flemington will suit the horse. She noted that while the horse is a year older, he is fit and ready to compete in what she describes as a deep and challenging field.