By Craig Kerry
The Dubai Honour camp was eyeing a “serious training performance” to topple Via Sistina after the superstar mare’s stranglehold on the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) tightened with a draw in gate one for the $5 million race on Saturday.
Dubai Honour, prepared by champion English trainer William Haggas, looms as the main challenger to fellow seven-year-old Via Sistina in the headline event on day two of the Championship at Randwick, but his hopes were dented on Tuesday when drawing barrier 13 of 15.
Jockey Tom Marquand rides Dubai Honour to victory in the group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on April 1.Credit: Sam Mooy
Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina, three weeks between runs and coming off an easy win in the Ranvet Stakes, was a $1.70 Sportsbet favourite to score an eighth group 1 victory in Australia on Saturday. Dubai Honour was next best in the market at $5.50 after his powerful finish to win the deferred group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on a soft Rosehill track on April 1.
Haggas’ assistant trainer Issy Paul agreed it would be the stable’s best achievement in Sydney if Dubai Honour could defeat Via Sistina. The seven-year-old completed the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes double in 2023.
“To win a fourth would be amazing and to do two and two would really round it off,” Paul said.
“I think it would be a serious training performance if we managed to get this done.
Issy Paul, right, with jockey Tom Marquand after Dubai Honour’s in the Tancred StakesCredit: Sam Mooy
“[Via Sistina] is obviously very, very good, and I would have preferred a draw that was slightly further in, but it is what it is.
“Obviously, not scared, but you are wary of them and respectful of them, and I just hope he can put his best foot forward.”
Pride Of Jenni, which produced a remarkable front-running effort to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year by six and a half lengths, was being aimed at a title defence, but connections did not accept after her disappointing effort last start in the Australian Cup (2000m).
Waller, meanwhile, did not accept in the Australian Oaks with last Saturday’s dominant Derby champion, Aeliana, but Adrian Knox Stakes winner Belle Detelle will back up for the stable in the $1 million group 1 over 2400m.
Aeliana streaks away to win the ATC Derby.Credit: Getty Images
Belle Detelle, a $7 Oaks hope with Sportsbet, drew gate seven and has Tommy Berry to ride. She joins new stablemate Leica Lucy ($4.60) in the race. The New Zealand Oaks champion will debut in Australia from gate one with James McDonald aboard.
Treasurethe Moment, a $1.60 Oaks favourite, drew ideally in two as she attempts to give Victorian trainer Matt Laurie a third Sydney group 1 win in as many weeks. The filly, on a seven-race winning streak, cruised to victory in the Vinery Stud Stakes two weeks ago. Vinrock, which was spelled on Tuesday, gave Laurie a second major in Sydney last Saturday when taking out the Sires Produce Stakes.
In the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m), Alalcance remained a firm favourite ($2.80) despite drawing out in 15, which will become 13 of 20 if all emergencies come out. Zardozi ($6.50) and Duke De Sessa ($9.50) firmed as the main rivals after drawing gates three and two respectively.
In the other group 1 of the day, the $1 million Queen Of The Turf, Waller-trained Fangirl was the $2.20 favourite with McDonald to ride from gate six of 13. Connections also accepted with Fangirl for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where she has gate eight and no jockey declared.
Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker accepted with last Saturday’s Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magentica for the Queen Of The Turf, and she was a $5.50 hope from barrier four.
