The upcoming Ranvet Stakes is shaping as a direct confrontation featuring Aeliana versus Sir Delius, whose handler Adrian Bott is optimistic the three-week turnaround will peak him perfectly.
Last season’s ATC Australian Derby hero leads the market for the Saturday 2000m showdown, yet Sir Delius holds firm at $3.30 as the outright next-best and only authentic rival in sight.
Favourite for spring majors like the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup, the Tulloch Lodge gelding endured a divisive withdrawal from Victorian spring riches due to botched compulsory veterinary clearance.
Breaking a near five-month absence with third behind Autumn Glow and Aeliana in February 28’s Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), Bott confirmed marked progress post that effort.
“Three weeks, it has been that real sweet spot to get him to where we need him to be stepping out to 2000,” Bott said.
“He is out to his right trip now, and he has shown the necessary improvement. I’m ready to see him bounce back.”
Bott appreciates the magnitude of Sir Delius’s assignment opposite Aeliana, who dazzled in both preparatory outings this preparation.
She placed second to Autumn Glow in the preceding Apollo Stakes (1400m) before Verry Elleegant and now looks to overturn a heartbreakingly close defeat to Broadsiding in the prior year’s Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
Sir Delius demands a revival of his Group 1 Underwood and Turnbull Stakes conquests from spring to threaten Aeliana, according to Bott.
“The mare was very sharp last start, and she has been excellent this campaign,” he said.
“We’re going to need to recapture that spring form to be getting to that point of beating her, but I do feel he’s on his way there.”
Alalcance, from the same barn, is dual-nominated for the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) alongside the Manion Cup (2000m) support act.
With Campaldino earmarked for the Manion representation, Bott eyes the tight Ranvet peloton as prime for the mare’s Group 1 podium push and black-type boost.
“A smaller field at weight-for-age level, it might be a chance for her to try to improve her value with some black type, and she is very good around that 2000 metres,” he said.
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