In a surprising upset at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes held at Royal Randwick, the heavily backed favourite Autumn Glow finished third, while Sir Delius claimed victory with a two-length lead. Autumn Glow, quoted at odds of $1.35 before the race, was anticipated to dominate, but gave way in the final straight.
Jockey Nash Rawiller rode Lindermann, trained by Chris Waller, to a second-place finish, overtaking Autumn Glow just before the finish line. Prior to the race, co-trainer Gai Waterhouse confidently stated on Seven’s broadcast that Sir Delius was “the best weight-for-age horse in Australia over 2000 metres.” Following the race, Waterhouse expressed that a win for Sir Delius would solidify his status among the elite in Australian horse racing.
Winning jockey Craig Williams praised the training prowess of Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott, highlighting his initial uncertainty about Sir Delius’ speed. “I said to the team, ‘you’ve done a fantastic job’… wow, what an amazing racehorse,” Williams remarked, reflecting the sudden shift in his confidence in the horse’s capabilities.
Conversely, James McDonald, the jockey for Autumn Glow, recognised his horse’s bravery despite her inability to keep pace towards the end. He acknowledged that Sir Delius executed a strategy that worked effectively on the day. “They got their tactics right… he was extremely good,” McDonald commented, indicating respect for the winning horse’s performance.
The race outcome has prompted discussions about shifting expectations and the potential of less favoured competitors in high-stakes events, showcasing the unpredictable nature of horse racing.