Gai Waterhouse, following in the footsteps of her father Tommy Smith, has long been a prominent figure during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

With her training partner Adrian Bott based in Sydney, Waterhouse has been able to dedicate more of her time to Melbourne during the spring racing season.

Waterhouse was present at Flemington earlier this week and plans to remain based in Melbourne after Sir Delius competes in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, continuing her stay until the conclusion of Melbourne Cup week.

Having already achieved victories in the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, Waterhouse is keen to add a Cox Plate to her father’s achievements and ‘complete the set’.

Last year’s bid for the Cox Plate was unfortunately cut short for Waterhouse when a standing CT and PET scan, conducted in readiness for the Melbourne Cup, revealed Sir Delius had a heightened risk of injury.

Sir Delius had previously won the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield and the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, and was considered a leading contender for both races.

The entire colt made a successful return in the autumn to win his ‘Grand Final’, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, after securing placings in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes.

A similar race program is in store for Sir Delius in Melbourne this spring, with Saturday’s 1600m race to be followed by the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 3, and then the Cox Plate (2000m) three weeks later.

Waterhouse commented that winning the autumn ‘Grand Final’ was a remarkable achievement.

“(Jockey) Craig (Williams), Adrian and I had discussed different ways of riding him and I can be a bit vocal about those things, but we got what we wanted,” Waterhouse said.

“It was the big prize that we were heading for.

“We live the dream and that’s why we come every year, so hopefully the dream will be the Cox Plate this year.

“It’s interesting that it is at Flemington this year. It will definitely suit this horse.”

Sir Delius has been in Melbourne for just over a week preparing for his Saturday return, and Waterhouse indicated that the entire is in good shape to perform well.

“He’s a happy horse and he’s pretty fit,” Waterhouse stated.

“I think these are good races and they’re stepping stones to where you want to be.

“It (Saturday) is a Group 1 race worth a lot of money and a lot of prestige and he’s an entire and a Group 1 adds to his value as a stallion.

“I think it will be a hard race to win, but we’re in it, and will give it a shake.”

For those interested in the action, exploring online bookmakers will offer competitive odds for the Makybe Diva Stakes.