Sir Delius Begins Cox Plate Campaign in Makybe Diva

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will begin another Cox Plate (G1) campaign with Sir Delius when the entire resumes in the Sept. 12 Makybe Diva Stakes (G1) over 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) at Flemington Racecourse. Sir Delius was among the leading contenders for last year's Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup (G1) after impressive victories in the Underwood (G1) and Turnbull (G1) stakes, but was ruled out of both races after scans identified a heightened risk of injury. Sir Delius returned in the autumn to land the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1) at Randwick Racecourse and will follow a three-run spring campaign culminating in the Cox Plate, which will be staged at Flemington this year. "We live the dream and that's why we come every year, so hopefully the dream will be the Cox Plate this year," Waterhouse said. "It's interesting that it is at Flemington this year. It will definitely suit this horse." He certainly faces a tall order Saturday as the Makybe Diva features three recently named Australian champions: 3-year-old filly Sheza Alibi (AUS), 3-year-old colt/gelding Autumn Boy (AUS), and champion stayer Half Yours (AUS). Sheza Alibi finished second in her seasonal bow behind Australian Horse of the Year Autumn Glow (AUS) in the Winx Stakes (G1), and Autumn Boy enters off an eighth-place finish first up in the Memsie Stakes (G1) Aug. 29. Meanwhile, Half Yours is making his first start of the season and, after four off-the-board finishes in the spring, looks to get back to his peak form that saw him win the Caulfield Cup (G1) and Melbourne Cup last year.