Sir Delius Prepared for G1 Turnbull Stakes Defence

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, September 30, 2026

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable will defend its Turnbull Stakes title on October 3 with Sir Delius as the leading contender, supported by stablemate Vauban who may also run. Sir Delius’s preparation and fitness are focused on the 2,000-meter race as a critical lead-up to the Cox Plate later in the month, highlighting the stable’s strong campaign in a highly competitive field.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable is preparing to defend its title in the A$750,000 Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 3, with Sir Delius set to lead the challenge. The five-year-old entire, trained by Waterhouse and Bott, captured last year’s 2,000-meter feature and is expected to be the stable’s primary contender, although stablemate Vauban is also among the nominations.

Sir Delius, ridden by champion jockey Craig Williams, completed a 1,000-meter gallop on the Flemington course on September 29, finishing strongly over the final 400 meters. Waterhouse opted for a shorter, sharper training session, noting that the Frankel-bred horse appeared to enjoy the work and has shown improved muscle tone since his first-up run.

The three-time Group 1 winner finished fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1,600m) at Flemington on September 12, running five months after securing victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,000m) at Randwick on April 11. Waterhouse acknowledged that Sir Delius was caught flat-footed turning into the home straight in the Makybe Diva Stakes but praised his strong finish. She believes the increased race distance in the Turnbull Stakes will suit the horse well and views the race as an important stepping stone towards the Group 1 Cox Plate (2,040m) at Flemington on October 24.

“That’s his D-day, but he’s a very fit horse and in the right mindset going into Saturday,” Waterhouse said. She highlighted the additional gallops and time spent with Sir Delius in Melbourne as factors contributing to his readiness. “I think I’ve got him spot on,” she added, praising Bott’s role in preparing the horse for this campaign.

Vauban also trained at Flemington on September 29, covering 1,400 meters in a more extended gallop. Waterhouse described the nine-year-old Galiway gelding’s session as relaxed and noted that the horse appeared to enjoy the run. The trainer said she was still considering whether to enter Vauban in the Turnbull Stakes or to hold him back for later races in the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Vauban last competed in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2,000m) in May, finishing third behind Birdman, and won the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2,000m) at Rosehill Gardens in March.

The Turnbull Stakes entry list includes 21 runners, with Sydney’s leading trainers Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher holding eight and six nominations respectively, underscoring the strong competition ahead of the Melbourne Spring Carnival’s key races.

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