The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour ($3.10) has remained undefeated in three starts down under, adding the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) to his resume in a stunning display at Rosehill on Tuesday afternoon.
The Pride Of Dubai gelding returned to Australia for the first time since claiming the 2023 editions of the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), with the world traveller looking to bounce off an excellent runner-up effort in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on December 8.
‘Aussie’ Tom Marquand returned to Australia to continue his association with the now seven-year-old gelding, gaining the perfect run throughout after drawing barrier three on Tuesday.
It allowed Dubai Honour to settle in the one-one throughout the 2400m journey, while the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Duke De Sessa ($5.50) pressed forward to secure the early lead, ticking over some moderate sectionals under Harry Coffey.
Arapaho () loomed to his outside to keep an honest tempo in testing conditions, as the likes of Vauban ($3.10) and Zarir ($26) were happy to sit quietly in the back-half of the field.
There was a mid-race move courtesy of Nash Rawiller aboard River Of Stars () as the leading pair attempted to slow it up in the middle stages.
It allowed Dubai Honour to slowly build the revs as they turned for home, with Marquand slicing between runners to strike the lead at the furlong pole.
Duke De Sessa held his ground to secure second, while Vauban hit the line well as a perfect audition for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on Day 2 of The Championships.
Dubai Honour was all class in the end, however, securing his third Group 1 win in Australia.
Stable representative Isabella Paul was on track to discuss the win, and a potential second-up run to take on Via Sistina in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (200m).
“Anyone that knows me knows how special this horse is to me and the whole team,” said Paul.
“He is an absolute star and at seven years old he has proved again that he is at that top class level. I couldn’t be happier.
“He’s the most perfect horse to travel and he never misses a beat. We never have to worry about him and he is the easiest horse in the world.
“We joke that he is like a labrador because he is just like my pet.
“I’m so proud of him, proud of Tom (Marquand) and the whole team.
“I’ll get him home and see how he is. He’ll have some fluids tonight and we’ll take care of him nicely. We’ll trot him up in the morning and see how he goes.
“But I think stepping back down to 2000-metres, we haven’t got an option, but there is no reason to try after that performance.”
Tom Marquand then spoke post-race.
“I’ve been here a couple of weeks and it was starting to get a bit dull,” said Marquand.
“I’m lucky that I’ve been riding a few for Australian-based trainers but you come here to compete in the Group Ones and it is really satisfying when you pull it off.
“It was a boring day on Saturday and I thought the rain was coming, good draw, everything is in line but then extra few days was great.
“He felt like the winner and as a jockey there’s horses that give you certain feelings and at the top of the straight I went out rather than going back in.
“I think he’d won either way, to be honest. Issy does a great job every year and WIlliam and Mohamed Obaida, to be brave enough to bring them back time and time again, I’ve got the easy job, I think.”
Dubai Honour is now on the second line of betting at $5 with the top online bookmakers for the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes on April 12.
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