Sir Delius is set to produce his best performance of the campaign in the April 11 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse, according to co-trainer Adrian Bott. The weight-for-age feature has been the primary target for the 5-year-old entire this preparation, with Bott confident he has now reached peak fitness.
"He has been building well. He's right on track now and hopefully we'll see him run a personal best this preparation," Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said.
Sir Delius has been working into form after returning from a break, following a spring campaign that featured wins in the 2025 Underwood Stakes (G1) and Turnbull Stakes (G1) before his Melbourne Cup (G1) plans were halted.
"He's taken a bit of racing to get there this time, but we're happy with where he's at now," Bott said.
Sir Delius is expected to settle closer from a favorable draw after getting back in the field in the Ranvet Stakes (G1) last start. Bott acknowledged the strength of Saturday's field, headed by unbeaten mare Autumn Glow, along with Ranvet winner Aeliana and international raider Dubai Honour.
"It's a proper weight-for-age race and very competitive," he said. "It's new ground for her (Autumn Glow), if we're trying to find anything to grasp onto. 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 2,000-meter race."
Ohope Wins Ready for Oaks rebound
Ohope Wins is expected to improve sharply stepping back up in trip for Saturday's Australian Oaks (G1) at Randwick. The Chris Waller-trained filly disappointed as favorite when fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) at her Australian debut, but the stable is confident she can bounce back over a more suitable distance. Assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said positive feedback from James McDonald following a recent gallop had lifted confidence.
"James galloped her (Tuesday) morning and said she feels more switched on, like a better horse today than when he rode her in the race," Duckworth said. "I don't know whether it's a case of the way we train, or things change, but up to the distance (2,400 meters) I think she will justify the hype she had prior to her run in the Vinery, because they all thought she was just about unbeatable."
Ohope Wins, already a group 1 winner in New Zealand, remains well supported in early markets as she looks to add an Australian classic to her record. Stablemate Soverato will also line up after finishing runner-up in the Adrian Knox Stakes (G3) last start and is expected to take her place despite the quick turnaround.
After Summer and Classic Gem will represent trainer Dom Sutton in the 2,400-meter (about 1 1/2-miles) Oaks. Sutton, in just his second full season training, said there was little between the pair as he chases a first Sydney winner at the elite level.
"It's a big achievement to have two runners in a race like this," Sutton said. "They're both going well and deserve their place."
After Summer comes off a narrow second in the Vinery Stud Stakes and is expected to relish the rise in distance. Classic Gem backs up from a solid effort in the Adrian Knox, where she covered ground before finishing off strongly.
Pride Of Jenni set for Queen of the Turf
Pride Of Jenni will be kept to mares' company at Randwick Saturday, with connections electing to run in the Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1) rather than the open-age Queen Elizabeth Stakes. The decision follows dual nominations for both features, with the mare paid up for the 1,600-meter (about 1-mile) contest April 7, where she is set to clash with fellow elite-level winners including Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment.
Pride Of Jenni has been competitive in top company this preparation, finishing third in the All-Star Mile (G1) first-up before a narrow defeat when runner-up in the Australian Cup (G1). Connections have opted against attempting a second tilt at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which she famously won last year after establishing a commanding midrace margin, instead favoring a slightly easier assignment restricted to mares.
Treasurethe Moment will look to maintain her unbeaten Sydney record when she lines up in Saturday's event. Trainer Matt Laurie opted to bypass the Doncaster Mile (G1) in favor of the mares' feature, a decision he said was influenced by the emergence of star filly Sheza Alibi.
"We felt this was the better race to target," Laurie said. "She's unbeaten in Sydney and we're hoping that can continue."
A winner of 11 races, Treasurethe Moment enjoyed a standout spring, highlighted by victory in the 2025 Memsie Stakes (G1), and she arrives third-up after a win in the Sunline Stakes (G2).
Maher trio target Sydney Cup success
Mr Monaco will headline Ciaron Maher's three-pronged attack on Saturday's Sydney Cup (G1) over 3,200 meters (about 2 miles) at Randwick. The progressive stayer has emerged as a leading contender this preparation, winning his past two starts including the N E Manion Cup (G3) despite covering ground throughout, and is expected to see out the 2-mile trip strongly.
"He's a genuine stayer and that's a big advantage in these races," Maher's Sydney foreman Johann Gerard-Dubord said. Stablemates Piggyback and Juja Kibo also bring solid credentials. Piggyback comes through a fifth placing in the Tancred Stakes (G1) and drops to a light weight, with connections confident she can run out the distance.
"She's very well placed and should get every chance," Gerard-Dubord said.
Juja Kibo backs up from the Chairman's Handicap (G2), with the stable expecting improvement third-up.
