By Craig Kerry
English stayer Dubai Honour was expected to firm as favourite for the $1.5 million group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on Saturday with rain on the horizon and his international profile back on the world stage.
But don’t expect an easy run to the line with the Chris Waller stable boasting two new internationals they believe can claim the Rosehill feature.
Dubai Honour winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2023.Credit: Getty
The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, the 2023 Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner was a $3.20 TAB favourite on Friday, ahead of impressive first-up Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-prepared Sky High Stakes (2000m) winner Vauban ($4).
Bjorn Baker runner Arapaho, narrowly beaten by Vauban last start and a proven wet-track performer, was next best at $6.50. Ciaron Maher’s Duke De Sessa ($7) was the only other runner in single figures.
TAB’s Tim Ryan tipped Dubai Honour, which has not raced since coming second in the Hong Kong Vase on December 8, to strengthen further.
“Dubai Honour is by far the most popular, he’s about 40 per cent of our total hold, $3.60 into $3.20,” Ryan said.
Dubai Honour trainer William Haggas.Credit: PA Images via Getty Images
“I put him up [at] $3.60. I could have had him shorter but with the uncertainty around the track tomorrow, the conditions we might be facing, and the fact he hasn’t had a recent run and not knowing what order he’s come here in, I wanted to go a bit higher, but he’s clearly the class horse.
“The most interesting aspect is this is a world pool race, races eight to 10 will be, so I’m expecting Dubai Honour will be even more popular. World pool punters will know Haggas and [jockey Tom] Marquand.”
Premier Sydney trainer Waller has six runners in the Tancred. His shortest-priced chance is newcomer River Of Stars ($13). Yulong Investments bought the mare and Frankel gelding Zarir ($21), which both last raced in France in September, to bring to Australia.
“We’ve got a couple of new imports that we don’t know a massive amount about in terms of how they’ll cope with how racing is run down here, but their form is really good, easily good enough to win a race like this,” Waller assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.
Vauban has been well backed.Credit: Getty Images
“Neither of them have very good draws, but both have got good jockeys on and seem to handle the workload and the flight and everything in really good style.
“I think they’ll probably stay further, they’ll stay at Sydney Cup distance if we were to go that way, but I think they’ve probably got enough speed that they can win a race like this.
“And that’s obviously what they have been brought for, with this type of race in mind.”
Ryan said there has been some interest in River Of Stars, which James McDonald chose to ride, but none in Zarir (Tommy Berry).
“James went out to Canterbury and galloped both on Tuesday morning, so he got the pick, and he thinks she’s got plenty to offer,” Duckworth said.
“They both seem to get through the wet and probably Zarir actually gets through it arguably a little bit better.”
Waller’s Kinesiology, Asterix ($71) and Zechariah ($61) were long odds, while Duckworth said Land Legend ($34) would appreciate the step-up to 2400m.
In the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Waller’s Movin Out and Declichy Boulevard ($7.50) were rated the biggest threats to star Victorian filly Treasurethe Moment ($1.60). They were fourth and third respectively last start in the Phar Lap Stakes behind stablemate Lazzura, which was the $3.40 favourite for the Emancipation Stakes on Saturday.
“Movin Out I thought was actually really good,” Duckworth said.
“It’s amazing how well she hit the line, considering how keen she was off the back of the farcical tempo the other day when Lazzura just had all the favours up front.
“And Declichy, I think she’ll welcome the distance as well. If they can have more of a flowing ride it’s going to certainly help her, but the draw’s not ideal.”
