In today's Straight Shorts, Frankel import Sir Delius rested for the spring, the Doomben Cup field is out, long-serving administrator Peter Capelin dies, Joliestar in Sydney barrier trial detour on the way to Brisbane.
Tulloch Lodge import Sir Delius off to the paddock before Cup campaign
Sir Delius, the high-priced import who created an immediate impression for co-trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, has figured in a change of plans and won’t be seen again until the spring.
A short-priced favourite to make a winning Australian debut in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben last Saturday, Sir Delius delivered on that expectation under 60kg.
The entire, a son of Frankel, was earmarked for the $1.2 million Q22 at Eagle Farm on June 14.
However, Bott confirmed on Tuesday that Sir Delius will be spelled before given a Melbourne Cup preparation.
Sir Delius impresses in his Australian debut, surging to victory at Doomben! @GaiWaterhouse1 @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/aG9pLQSIVF
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 17, 2025
Sir Delius topped the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale when selling for $A2.6 million after finishing midfield in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in October.
He firmed to the second line of Melbourne Cup betting as a $15 chance after producing an eye-catching turn of speed to win at Doomben.
Antino favourite for Doomben Cup as Jenni draws the rails
Hollindale Stakes winner Antino has been supported into outright Doomben Cup favouritism following the draw for the Group 1 weight-for-age race.
One of 13 acceptors, Antino firmed from $3.50 to $3 while his main rival Pride Of Jenni drifted from her opening quote to $3.80.
Antino has drawn gate 11 with Pride Of Jenni to start from the rails.
Last year’s winner Bois D’Argent will be one of three runners for Annabel and Rob Archibald who put down an early winter carnival with Sunshine In Paris’ Doomben 10,000 win.
Chris Waller will be chasing his fourth Doomben Cup win with four runners - Linderman, Militarize, Kovalica and Osipenko.
Hong Kong jockey Matthew Poon will ride Klondike for the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable.
Racing mourns former AJC chairman Peter Capelin
Former Australian Jockey Club chairman Peter Capelin has died at the age of 86.
A prominent figure in legal circles, Capelin was first elected to the AJC committee in 1980.
He served as the club’s treasurer from 1984 to 1996 before assuming the vice chair’s role.
Capelin held the position as chairman from 2000 to 2001 and was made a life member in 2005.
He was a member of NSW TAB board from 1984 to 1997 and a member of the Racing NSW Appeal Panel in 2003 before becoming Principal Member later that year, a position he held until retiring in December 2006.
Well-related 2YOs step out at Sandown
A half-brother to champion New Zealand mare Imperatriz and the first foal from accomplished sprinter Pippie will make their racetrack debuts on Wednesday.
I’mateez and Samudra will clash in the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia 2YO Handicap to create more interest than usual around a Sandown midweek meeting.
A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase, I’mateez is a Capitalist colt trained by Alex Rae.
Samudra cost $775,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and is trained by Mark Walker.
Both I’mateez and Samudra will go to the races as recent Cranbourne jumpout winners.
On the strength of her victory, Samudra, a daughter of Snitzel, has been made an odds-on favourite.
Pippie was one of the fastest mares of her generation in winning the Oakleigh Plate and Moir Stakes at Group 1 level.
Her I Am Invincible daughter fetched $1.4 million at this year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale when purchased on behalf of Japan’s Champions Farm and Satomi Oka Bloodstock.
Bittersweet sale of Babylon Berlin for Footes
Co-trainer Ryan Foote admits to being torn about selling he and his father Ben’s seven-time stakes-winning mare Babylon Berlin, also a four-time Group 1 placegetter.
The New Zealand-trained rising eight-year-old, who has not raced since the Group 3 Kings Plate at Ellerslie on Champions Day in early March, will be offered as Lot 627 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast next Tuesday.
“I have had a lot to do with her, I have taken her to Australia, so it is a very bittersweet moment,” Ryan Foote said.
“One half of me is hoping she sells for a lot and the other half is hoping that she doesn’t sell so I get to keep her around for a bit longer.
“She is a good, tough mare who has been sound throughout her life. It is unfortunate that she hasn’t got one (Group 1 win) because she has gone close a few times. She has taken us on a great ride and put her best foot forward each time she went to the races.
“You couldn’t ask for a more honest mare. She has meant a whole lot to both of us.”
Babylon Berlin is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Darci Be Good.
Tyler hoping Derby timing is right for Kiwi Freddie
Kiwi dairy farmer and self-described hobby trainer Kelvin Tyler is hoping a Queensland working holiday can also result in a breakthrough Group 1 win.
The South Island-based Tyler, who last campaigned horses in the Sunshine State in 2022, has Queensland Derby aspirations for lightly raced three-year-old Freddie Time.
A last-start winner on his home track at Riverton over 1400m on April 21, Freddie Time will have his first Australian start over 2180m at Ipswich on Wednesday.
“He had a big trip over and I was hoping to get him here earlier, but we had some flight troubles getting over here,” Tyler told Racing Queensland.
“Had he got here a week earlier I would have run him in the Rough Habit Plate last Saturday.
“But, he needed a few extra days and he’s now settled in really well and I was very happy with his barrier trial.
“I’m hoping he may have enough prize money to get into the Derby but this race on Wednesday has enough prize money for him to make the field.”
Apprentice Corey Sutherland will take the ride on the Time Test gelding, twice a winner in seven starts.
Contingency plan for Joliestar ahead of Brisbane
Trainer Chris Waller is hoping some order can be restored to Joliestar’s disrupted Brisbane winter carnival build-up.
Joliestar was entered for a barrier trial at Canterbury on Tuesday but the session was abandoned because of wet weather.
Instead, the four-year-old will contest a trial at Rosehill - again weather permitting - on Friday en route to a start in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on May 31.
Winner of the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington in March, Joliestar is an early favourite for the Kingsford Smith, a $1 million weight-for-age race over 1300m.
It is a key lead-up to the Stradbroke Handicap for Joliestar also heads early markets as a $6 chance.
Joliestar was last seen when runner-up to Jimmysstar in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes at Randwick on April 19.
Meanwhile, stablemate Buckaroo, a notable absentee from the Doomben Cup field, has been sent for spell.
