Dubai Honour in top shape for Tancred title defence
The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) is reportedly in brilliant shape ahead of the defence of his Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m) title at Rosehill on Saturday.
This year marks the eight-year-old’s third autumn carnival in Sydney and Haggas’ assistant trainer Issy Paul, who has travelled with the gelding each time, is satisfied the horse is as good as ever.
His most recent form reflects that, with a Group 1 placing behind Goliath (Adlerflug) in Germany in September, a Listed win in England two months later, and a second placing in the UK last time out in December when he shouldered 64 kilograms.
“I’m really happy with where he is. He is being a bit of a pain on the track, and that generally means he is in pretty good order,” Paul said.
“He’s in great form. He actually came down here a little bit heavy, and he has tightened up nicely in the last week or so.
“They did a good bit of work last week, and they will have a little stretch tomorrow [Wednesday].”
Dubai Honour and stable companion Caviar Heights (Sea The Stars) both galloped at Canterbury on Tuesday morning, rounding out the completion of their official quarantine period.
Dubai Honour will be chasing back-to-back wins in the Tancred Stakes on Saturday, while Caviar Heights makes his Australian debut in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m).
Paul confirmed jockey Tom Marquand, who has partnered Dubai Honour in three of his four Australian starts, is due to land in Sydney on Thursday but won’t have a sit on either of the runners before race day.
“Probably not, to be honest,” Paul said.
“He came and had a sit on Caviar Heights when we were in quarantine in the UK. They galloped together, and he rode Caviar and was very happy with him that day.
“Obviously, he knows Dubai Honour inside out, so we will leave Tom to recover from his flight, and we’ll see him on Saturday.”
Dubai Honour has an outstanding record in Sydney, his only defeat in four starts coming at the hands of Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).