The divide between Spring and Autumn racing appears increasingly narrow, with several of Australia’s elite gallopers set to trial at Randwick on Thursday.
High-profile names including Via Sistina, Sir Delius, Autumn Glow and Aeliana are scheduled to make their first public appearances ahead of their Autumn Carnival campaigns on the Kensington track.
Autumn Glow, widely regarded as one of the most exciting horses in training, will contest the opening 850-metre heat alongside stablemate Wodeton, Flight Stakes winner Apocalyptic and Turnbull Stakes hero Sir Delius among a compact field.
James McDonald will take the reins aboard both Autumn Glow and Via Sistina, with the latter set to trial in the third heat over 850 metres, alongside stablemates Aeliana and Lindermann and Golden Slipper winner Marhoona.
While there is strong interest in Chris Waller’s team, particular focus will fall on Sir Delius for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, following his absence from the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate after failing mandatory veterinary scans.
Those scans ruled Sir Delius out of racing in Victoria for the remainder of the Spring Carnival, with stewards placing an embargo on the horse after he had been a pre-post favourite for both majors.
That embargo remains active but does not automatically extend to other jurisdictions, including New South Wales, where authorities can determine whether to uphold Racing Victoria’s ruling.
With Sir Delius accepted to trial, it has been decided he can step out, and co-trainer Adrian Bott said the focus would be on a gentle reintroduction following a frustrating spring.
Early markets for the Autumn Carnival are already forming across leading Australian betting sites as punters begin assessing returning stars.
“He’s going to the trials on Thursday,” Bott said.
“He won’t be asked much, he’s just going for a quiet sort of trial.
“He’ll be out on a few occasions before we see him step out to the races, sort of fitting in line with what we saw from him last prep.
“But he seems to be back in good order.”
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