A date facing off against super stayer Incentivise in the Caulfield Cup field in seven days’ time could be on the agenda for the Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained Delphi following his good win in the 2021 Herbert Power Stakes results.

Delphi could back-up in the 2021 Caulfield Cup after winning his way into the $5 million classic via the Herbert Power Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Irish-bred Galileo entire jumped odds-on favourite in the Group 2 $300,000 Neds Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) and did not disappoint going on to win by a length and earn a ballot exemption for Saturday week’s Group 1 $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Master O’Reilly (2007) was the last horse to complete the Herbert Power Stakes – Caulfield Cup double on the quick back-up and co-trainer Sam Freedman believes the short turnaround won’t be an issue for Delphi.

“He’s done a really good job this horse,” he told Racing Victoria.

“He’s been in work for a very long time but he come through a pretty tough system so he’s pretty used to that I don’t think the back-up should bother him hopefully.”

Delphi further franked the form out of the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) finished narrow runner-up in that lead-up from September 18 behind Nonconformist who ran an outstanding second to Probabeel in the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes earlier on Caulfield Guineas Day.

Enjoying his first victory in Australia, the lightly-raced stayer will be having just his 10^th start in the Caulfield Cup should connections opt to run him against the hot favourite Incentivise from the stables of Peter Moody.

The day’s Caulfield Guineas winning jockey Damien Oliver rode Delphi to victory in the Herbert Power Stakes, the hoop getting him to eventually settle just off the pace about four off the leader Tooradin.

Oliver got going on the eventual winner moving out four wide and taking up the lead at the 600m allowing Delphi to stride out in front.

From there he had a wall chasing him home but was too strong, Delphi ($1.95) going on to defeat the 2019 Herbert Power winner The Chosen One by a length with the runner-up excellent ahead of the Spring Cups making up all the ground from last to second.

In a huge run for third to round out the Herbert Power Stakes trifecta was the Sue Murphy-trained South Australian visitor Hasta La War up notably in grade.

Delphi carried 57kg to victory in the Herbert Power and gets into the Caulfield Cup with just 52.5kg making him a light weight chance at big odds.

“He’ll give them a shake; he’ll make them earn it,” Freedman said.

“If he can be even closer to the speed, he might be even better suited and really make them run some good sectionals.

“To the horse’s credit he did a bit of work from the 600m and kept running.

“Hopefully he’s here in seven days.”

All-in Caulfield Cup 2021 betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Incentivise at $2, while Delphi is into $9, full odds available here.

2021 Herbert Power Stakes Results & Finishing Order