Since he beat Chautauqua in a Group One race in the spring, Delectation has seemingly lost his way.
But trainer Chris Waller believes he has him back on track to prove his Darley Classic win was no fluke when he contests the Group One BTC Cup (1200m) on Saturday.
Chautauqua’s autumn includes victories in the Lightning Stakes and TJ Smith which elevated him to the top of the world sprint rankings.
He took that form to Hong Kong last Sunday to win the Group One Chairman’s Sprint at Sha Tin and cement his lofty status.
While Chautauqua has shone, Delectation has struggled.
He finished fifth in the Lightning, last in the Newmarket and seventh in the TJ Smith.
But two winning barrier trials a week apart have convinced Waller the four-year-old can get back to his competitive best.
“He has been doing things wrong and he’s got to settle to be effective,” Waller said.
“We have given him two barrier trials to take the edge off him.
“I think the Doomben 10,000 will be the perfect race for him but he is ready for the BTC Cup.
Delectation will be joined in the BTC Cup at Doomben by stablemates Japonisme and Counterattack.
Like Delectation, Japonisme ran in a trial at Randwick on Friday, beating Counterattack.
“Japonisme will have Glyn Schofield on for the first time since he won the Coolmore Stud Stakes,” Waller said.
“Counterattack will also go to the Group One.”
Counterattack ran a nose second to Japonisme in last month’s Group Two Arrowfield Stakes in which Takedown was a half length third.
The Gary Moore-trained Takedown franked that form with an all-the-way win in Saturday’s Gold Coast Guineas.
Waller said he had all but ruled out a trip to Royal Ascot for Japonisme, winner of the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring.
“It’s highly unlikely,” he said. “I’d rather take him over there next year when he is a four-year-old.”
