“I can't have that”: Opinions differ on Birdman’s Cox Plate chances

Birdman was a marvel on Saturday in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m), impressively winning that $1 million race by 1.75 lengths.

And now questions are being asked whether the Chris Waller-trained gelding has turned into a genuine Cox Plate contender.

Speaking on RSN’s Correct Weight, Nick Noonan admitted that while Birdman is continuing to reach new peaks, he would still have both Sir Delius and Aeliana ahead of the son of Free Eagle.

“He's got the upside. He just seems like he keeps getting better every preparation,” Nick said.

“But Sir Delius and Aeliana, if they're able to reproduce their peaks of what they did in the autumn, I still think he's got a little bit to get to them.

“So, I would still have them ahead of him.”

Nick’s brother Trav couldn’t agree with that opinion though.

Trav is adamant Birdman can take out the Cox Plate, even labelling the bay as one of, if not, Australia’s best 2000m horse.

“I'm going to completely disagree with you,” replied Trav.

“He is live in the Cox Plate.

“He is as good a 2000m horse as we've got in the country, I think.”

Nick was shocked by those comments, rebutting that Sir Delius and Aeliana are a level above Birdman.

Nick: “No, I can't have that. I can't have that commentary.

“Sir Delius still, just forget about his last one, he's got three or four lengths of improvement.

“Take Sir Delius off his Queen Elizabeth (performance).”

Trav: “He's had one failure really, Birdman in 2026, on wet ground.”

Nick: “He's so exciting, but (Birmdan) is A-grade - they're A-plus, Sir Delius and Aeliana.”

When looking at the market for the Cox Plate, Sir Delius is currently the $3 favourite with Sportsbet, while Birdman and Aeliana follow at $6 and $7, respectively.

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