The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott team will look to continue their strong record in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes as they chase a third win in four years.

This year the stable will be represented by imported star Sir Delius, who tackles the 1800m weight-for-age feature at Caulfield on Saturday. The partnership previously triumphed with Alligator Blood in 2022 and 2023, though they were without a runner last year when Chris Waller’s Buckaroo claimed the prize.

Buckaroo returns in 2025 as the $5 second favourite, while Sir Delius heads the market as the $2 favourite. The French import arrived in Australia with three straight wins to his name, his only blemish being an eighth placing in the prestigious Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Bought by Sir Owen Glenn in conjunction with Waterhouse and Bott clients, Sir Delius made an immediate impact locally with victory in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben. After a spell, he resumed with a narrow second to Lindermann in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 6. He has since been based at Flemington to prepare for major spring targets including the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

“He went down to Melbourne not long after his run up here and he seems in good shape,” Bott said.

“He worked on the course proper there, got a good feel for the tracks down there and he has worked up nicely.

“He should appreciate getting out that little bit further in distance again. I’d like to think he will show some nice improvement off that first-up run.

“It was a lovely first-up run. He lost no admirers, and he looks set for a nice campaign.”

The stable has mapped out a program that includes the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) on October 11 before the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley. The Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 also remains firmly in his sights.

Punters keen to back Sir Delius in the Underwood Stakes or in his spring targets can find the best odds at Australia’s leading betting sites.