Trainer Gai Waterhouse has described her excitement as “the most in years” following Sir Delius’ stirring win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

The imported stayer, who has the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup firmly in his sights, was seemingly beaten on the home turn before rallying late under Craig Williams to edge out Buckaroo ($4.80) by a neck. Golden Path ($21) stuck on bravely for third.

Sent out $2.10 favourite, Sir Delius handed Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott their third Underwood in four years, following Alligator Blood’s double in 2023 and 2024.

“It’s the most exciting thing I’ve seen in years,” Waterhouse said. “He was not in a good position throughout the race… but then all of a sudden he saw the winning post and he took off. He was just fabulous.”

It was Bott’s decision to target the Underwood after Sir Delius’ narrow second in the Chelmsford Stakes earlier in the month. The gelding will now press on to the Might And Power (2000m) before the Cox Plate and then the Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse compared him to her 2013 Cup hero Fiorente. “They are very similar, both handsome horses with fabulous attitudes and a will to win. They’re big striding types who know where the post is.”

Winning jockey Williams was equally impressed. “He’s just such a weapon. When Blake came past me on Buckaroo I thought ‘oh no’, but I just kept urging him. He laid back his ears and we got the win. He reminds me of Dunaden with that great tenacity.”