Sir Delius Shines in Queen Elizabeth Victory

Sir Delius (GB) proved his rare quality beyond doubt in taking the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) as Autumn Glow (AUS)'s winning streak came to a decisive end April 11 at Randwick Racecourse. Imported to Australia after a group 3 win and an elite placing from six starts in France, Sir Delius was a sensation of 2025, with victory in Doomben's Chairman's Handicap (G3) on his Australian debut followed by imposing spring victories in Caulfield's Underwood Stakes (G1) and Flemington's Turnbull Stakes (G1). But as a dominant favorite for the Cox Plate (G1) and Melbourne Cup (G1), he was sensationally ordered out of the remainder of the carnival by Racing Victoria vets, due to unfavorable bone scans. However, rebooted for the autumn by trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the 5-year-old Frankel (GB) entire hinted he'd retained his spring sparkle with thirds in Randwick's Verry Elleegant Stakes (G1)—behind Autumn Glow—and second-up in the Ranvet Stakes (G1), won by Aeliana (NZ). And while most of the Australian racing community will have been cheering for the 11-from-11 Autumn Glow to remain unbeaten Saturday, the doubts surrounding her first try beyond 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) proved vindicated, and it was Sir Delius who pounced on her vulnerability. Sir Delius, Sir Owen Glenn's AU$6 second elect, was masterfully ridden by Craig Williams. Williams, and his training collaborators, knew they had to be in front of Autumn Glow in the run, for if doubts about her 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) capabilities were to prove justified, they would be put to a stern test if asked to chase down a proven middle-distance performer of Sir Delius' class. As last-start Australian Cup (G1) winner Light Infantry Man (FR) led under an even pace, Williams was right where he wanted to be, 4 lengths off him in fourth, with Autumn Glow 3 lengths further behind. The pace picked up from the 800 meters and Williams easily sent his mount forward, eventually taking the lead entering the straight. Autumn Glow ranged up behind, and the crowd was set alight. But as she shaped for her usual charge to the line, worrying signs appeared. Asked for her effort, she veered out at the 350 meters, and veered back in again soon after, her action far rougher than usual. The distance was indeed telling. In front of her, Sir Delius was bullet straight, under hands and heels riding from Williams, and full of running. Two reminders with the whip at the 150 meters put the issue beyond doubt, and Sir Delius scored a thoroughly deserved win by 2 1/4 lengths. Lindermann (AUS) worked home well for second, relegating the tiring Autumn Glow into third a further neck away. He took home AU$3.06 million from the AU$5 million Queen Elizabeth, providing a second win in the race for Williams and Sir Owen after the 2015 victory of Criterion. And his trainers were delighted to have won a bonafide Australian major, essentially at his first realistic time of asking following his late spring scratching dramas. "This is the one that counted," said Adrian Bott, dubbing Sir Delius a "once in a lifetime horse". Asked about the disappointments of the horse's scratching in Melbourne last spring, Bott said: "We move forward. You've got to look at those targets in front of you. I'm delighted he's been able to get back to the top level. He's executed really well and I can't wait for the spring again." Ohope Wins Lands Oaks Double Star New Zealander Ohope Wins (NZ) joined a select band of fillies to win the major Oaks double on both sides of the Tasman in storming to victory in the Australian Oaks (G1) at Randwick. Having won the New Zealand Oaks (G1) two starts earlier at Ellerslie before a transfer to Chris Waller, Ohope Wins followed her close-up fourth in the Vinery Stud Stakes (G1) with a popular Randwick triumph as AU$2.60 favorite Saturday. Ridden by James McDonald, she continued the phenomenal run of success for Australian racing's "power couple." Waller and McDonald have combined to win at least one group 1 on a record of seven successive Saturdays, starting with Autumn Glow's success in the Verry Elleegant Stakes Feb. 28. And Ohope Wins, recently declared New Zealand Bloodstock's Filly of the Year for the current season, became just the fourth filly to take out the New Zealand-Australian Oaks double. McDonald was at his coolest in making Ohope Wins the 14th Australian stakes winner for her Cox Plate-winning sire Ocean Park, who stood at Waikato Stud last year for AU$15,000. Behind a strong pace set by longshot Stand My Ground, the field strung out such that Ohope Wins was some 15 lengths off the pace in second-last spot at the 900 meters. Meanwhile, Profoundly seemingly held a distinct advantage, traveling fifth, 2 lengths off a breakaway group. Profoundly duly took the lead under Tommy Berry over the rise, but behind and to her outside, Ohope Wins was building a formidable head of steam down the center of the track. To her credit, Profoundly battled gamely all the way down the straight, but Ohope Wins was able to outstay her, taking the lead 60 meters out and scoring by a half-length. Dom Sutton's After Summer finished third. Savoring his 196th group 1 success, expat Kiwi Waller paid tribute to Ohope Wins' previous New Zealand trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott for the progress of the filly, who was subject to a majority buy-in from Yulong in January. "I can't take all the credit," Waller said. "Obviously, I've been trusted by Yulong. Lance O'Sullivan did a great job with her prior to coming to me plus they gave me a hand with her as well. Very friendly and very helpful which we've got to thank them for. "She's gritty, she's a very gritty filly. She had enough on the line, the other two (placegetters) were brave and it was lucky we were on a good horse." Idle Flyer Scores in Queen of the Turf Underrated filly Idle Flyer (AUS) gave more proof her sire's gender tide was turning by upsetting a supposed three-horse race to score her elite breakthrough in Saturday's Queen Of The Turf Stakes (G1). The AU$1 million Randwick feature was promoted as a clash of three star mares. Waller's Lady Shenandoah started favorite, marginally ahead of Matt Laurie's Treasurethe Moment and Ciaron Maher's Pride Of Jenni. But it was Idle Flyer—from the boutique Warwick Farm stable of Matt Smith and fourth elect—who stole the show in the fillies and mares' event. McDonald on Lady Shenandoah had the job of taking the field up to Pride Of Jenni before the turn, while Treasurethe Moment stalked her in third. But while Lady Shenandoah and Treasurethe Moment made their runs after straightening, it was Idle Flyer behind those two who was traveling the strongest. Set loose by Zac Lloyd, she had a battle with Lady Shenandoah for 100 meters, but gained the ascendancy in the last 50 to beat her by three-quarters of a length. Treasurethe Moment held third. "I just can't believe she's won. I knew she was going good but I didn't think she'd win that so we'll take it," said Smith after his sixth elite success. "It was a proper group 1. We've got a great crew in the horse and great supporters of the stable. It's what we get up in the morning for, it means a lot to us." Changingoftheguard Posts Upset in Syndey Cup Changingoftheguard (IRE) delivered a 104th individual group 1 winner for Galileo with a determined staying performance in the Sydney Cup (G1) at Randwick. The Kris Lees-trained gelding defied his AU$51 quote with a bold display under Jason Collett, dictating throughout and holding off Soul Of Spain by a neck, with Highland Bling the same distance further back in third. Collett's ride proved decisive, allowing the stayer to control the tempo before responding under pressure. "It's a good feeling when a horse gets in a good rhythm like that. We don't get too many opportunities here in Australia over these distances," Collett said. Lees, who won the race 20 years earlier with County Tyrone, added: "I would have to say this is just as big a thrill... it's a great thrill to win in those colors too."