A strong field of Caulfield Cup hopefuls lined up in Saturday’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, only to be left in the dust by talented Freedman-trained stayer, Delphi.
The Galileo entire went around as the $1.90 favourite in his third run back and has now entered calculations ahead of next week’s $5 million feature.
After winning the Caulfield Guineas only two races prior aboard Anamoe, a brilliant ride from Damien Oliver again proved the difference as the pair settled midfield before peeling out four-wide with 600m left to spare.
In what turned into a brilliant staying test, Oliver had one last look over his shoulder before winning by a length, and now thinks the horse will be tough to beat in the Caulfield Cup next week.
“He’ll give it a shake; he can put himself up on the pace and with no weight and he can sustain a real gallop,” Oliver told Racing.com.
“When you get horses in good form out of this race, I think you’ve got to really consider them.”
Delphi will return next Saturday for the Caulfield Cup and can be found at $9.00 in the Ladbrokes market. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
Delphi stamped himself as a horse to watch when he beat home Master of Reality by a narrow margin in the Irish St Leger last year.
The Joseph O’Brien trained stayer finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup a year prior, before returning last year to finish well down the straight.
As far as Delphi is concerned though, co-trainer Sam Freedman seemed to agree with Oliver’s thoughts on next week’s Caulfield Cup.
“He’ll make them earn it, if it’s closer to his speed he’ll be even better suited and really make them run some good sectionals,” Freedman said after the race.
Delphi is now a $9.00 chance in Ladbrokes’ Caulfield Cup market and is hoping to become the seventh horse to complete the double since Master O’Reilly did so in 2007.
Saturday’s second place-getter The Chosen One, meanwhile, looks a horse to follow after making up big ground to find the money.
The Kiwi import raced alongside the likes of Zaaki in the Underwood late last month and is set for another Melbourne Cup tilt after finishing fourth in the $7.75 million feature last year.
Ladbrokes’ All-In Caulfield Cup market is available here.
The post 2021 Herbert Power Stakes: Caulfield Cup Likely for Winner Delphi appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au.
