Melbourne Cup favourite Sir Delius scratched, trained by Gai Waterhouse; Caulfield Cup 2025 winner predicted
“Very few horses meet the criteria, especially young horses,” O’Brien told Racing Post at the time.
“It’s very difficult for three-year-olds to achieve this because they’re still growing and their bones are still maturing, so I’m not sure any of them will be allowed to go in and run. It’s just ridiculous.”
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott train Ser Delius.Credit: Getty Images
The highly regarded Sir Delius joins the Waterhouse and Bott stable from France after finishing eighth in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
After winning the group 1 Underwood Stakes and the group 1 Turnbull Stakes, beating home superstar Via Sistina, she rocketed to the nepotism in both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Many believed Sir Delius could lead Waterhouse to their first victory in the Cox Plate and their second Melbourne Cup.
The scratching leaves regular jockey Craig Williams looking for a replacement ride in both races.
Sir Delius is owned by Kiwi businessman Sir Owen Glenn.
The horse underwent a CT scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Center in Werribee earlier this week, followed by a PET scan on Thursday.
After reviewing these scans, an independent panel of three veterinarians informed the caravan staff that the horse had a leg problem.
All Melbourne Cup runners must undergo a CT scan before Thursday 30 October.
The Melbourne Cup has been fatal-free since strict safety protocols were introduced in 2021.
Mey day, Mey day: This is the horse we expect to win the Caulfield Cup
Meydaan, a British horse with foreign form lines, looks the biggest threat to Jamie Melham’s history-making bid to become the first woman to ride the winner of the $5 million Caulfield Cup.
UK raiders Meydaan are preparing for the Caulfield Cup in Werribee.Credit: Getty Images
Meydaan is considered the runner most likely to topple Melham’s beloved Half Yours in Saturday’s 2400 meter handicap competition after his third run over 2412 meters in the September 3 Stakes group at Kempton Park, England.
Age He examines the Caulfield Cup field to assess the leading chances:
Race 9: $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), 17.15
Favorite: Half Yours started showing favoritism after winning the group 3 Naturalism Stakes last month and made clear that form by finishing fourth in the Turnbull Stakes. He dropped to 52.5 kg and finished in a draw for second gate. Great chance for Jamie Melham to reach a big group 1. The horse has been training since March.
Threats: British import Meydaan (56kg) was targeted in this race due to England’s solid form. The fifth gate is a big plus, the yellow card for international jockey Andrea Atzeni is worrying. The Ciaron Maher-trained Royal Supremacy (52.5kg) entered contention after winning The Metropolitan and will be accompanied by singing jockey Robbie Dolan. I’m not sure Metrop is a form race. Bookmakers have also backed former Irishman Vauban (58.5kg), currently held by Adrian Bott, who sits fifth behind Gai Waterhouse and Royal Supremacy.
Rudeness: If we consider the Turnbull Stakes to be the best lead race, we need to consider Deakin (54kg) and Middle Earth (56.5kg), who finished sixth and ninth in that race. Don’t throw out the Japanese mare Golden Snap (53.5kg), while Adelaide River (54kg) has the potential to lead and tighten the race.
Half Yours, trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, won a race at Rosehill earlier this year.Credit: Getty Images
Caulfield Cup tips: 1st Meydaan (No.4), 2nd Half Yours (No.15), 3rd Middle Earth (No.3), 4th Deakin (No.10)
Russell says: British trainers Simon and Ed Crisford have proven they know the right horse to bring to Australia. He says their stable, Meydaan, is in better shape.
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Caulfield Cup triple play: 3, 4, 10, 15 – 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16 – 3, 4, 8, 10, 11, 15, 16
Russell’s best: (Race 8, No.2) – Private Eye is good enough to line up at Everest, should win at Caulfield too.
Russell’s next best: Apocalypse (Race 7, No.1) – The Mitch Freedman-trained filly is the shortest favorite on the card but will be the anchor for many of the foursomes.
Cup day quartet: 1st match: 1, 3; 2nd leg: 2; Game 3: 3, 4, 10, 15; 4th leg: 1, 2, 5, 10.
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