Gai Waterhouse, mirroring her father Tommy Smith’s legacy, has long been a significant figure during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

With training partner Adrian Bott based in Sydney, Waterhouse has been able to spend more time in Melbourne throughout the spring period.

Waterhouse was present at Flemington earlier this week and intends to establish her base in Melbourne following Sir Delius’s participation in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday, continuing until the conclusion of Melbourne Cup week.

Having already secured a Melbourne Cup and a Caulfield Cup, Waterhouse harbours a strong desire to emulate her father by becoming a Cox Plate-winning trainer, thereby ‘completing the set’.

Last year’s ambition to win the Cox Plate was regrettably thwarted for Waterhouse after a comprehensive CT and PET scan, conducted in preparation for the Melbourne Cup, revealed Sir Delius faced an elevated risk of injury.

Previously, Sir Delius had achieved victories in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield and the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, positioning him as a leading contender for both prestigious races.

The entire colt returned in the autumn to claim his ‘Grand Final’, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, following strong performances with placings in the Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes.

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

Waterhouse commented that winning the autumn ‘Grand Final’ was an exceptional 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 stated.

“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 residing in Melbourne for just over a week in readiness for his Saturday return, and Waterhouse indicated that the entire is primed for a strong performance.

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

“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 keen to get involved, exploring Australian betting sites can provide access to the best odds for the Makybe Diva Stakes.