Aeliana and Dubai Honour produced a blockbuster face-off as weight-for-age heavyweights both at their best.
Displaying grit, Aeliana ran down Dubai Honour to win the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, enhancing both horses’ legacies in a dramatic closing sequence.
Chris Waller of Hall of Fame pedigree likened Aeliana to Verry Elleegant from his stable’s past, while Dubai Honour from England affirmed age defies top racing limits.
Prime weight-for-age action unfolded – elite stayers in a riveting battle, piloted by world-class jockeys with fearless plans.
Tom Marquand proactively led on Dubai Honour, prompting James McDonald to keep Aeliana glued in second, ready to challenge.
Victory seemed imminent. As they turned for home, Marquand gave Dubai Honour rein for a three-length buffer, gunning for the win.
Aeliana persisted doggedly. McDonald drove her forward incrementally, overtaking the pacesetter in the shadows of the post.
“I was worried from the 300m to the 100m but Aeliana was very brave,” Waller said.
“It’s hard to beat a (William) Haggas horse when they’re being set for a race as Mr Haggas does.
“He shows us what training’s all about when he comes down here. We knew we had to be on top of our game.”
Iconic Tancred Stakes moments abound, including Octagonal’s 1997 defeat of Arkady and Makybe Diva’s 2005 dismissal of Grand Armee; this rivals them all.
Favourite Aeliana ($1.70) scored by a short head against Dubai Honour ($3.60), Vauban ($7) five lengths adrift in third.
It brought James McDonald to 10 Group 1 successes for the season, no walk in the park.
“I had to be pretty patient on Aeliana because I learned a bit on her the other day,” McDonald said.
“I thought even though it wasn’t ideal letting them get so far in front, I had confidence that the mare would pick him up.
“Once she balances up, then she finds.”
He’d have taken shelter but managed Marquand’s surprise speed.
“It wasn’t my plan to give him so much of a head start, but I just waited and waited for her to be ready and when she was ready she just exploded,” he said.
“At the 300m, I could feel her building underneath me. I just felt if I went earlier, I would’ve been out of my comfort zone. It was a chance I was willing to take and I’m glad it paid off.”
Marquand confirmed the lead was strategic.
“We kind of knew what would happen if we just sat and did what we normally do,” he said.
“We tried something different and it nearly worked, but the filly was very good.”
Issy Paul, Dubai Honour’s overseas assistant trainer, concurred.
“It’s disappointing to lose but he’s run a great race. I’m very proud of him.”
Priced at $180,000 purchase by Denise Martin for Star Thoroughbreds, Aeliana records six wins in 18 starts – three Group 1 – with stakes over $4.3 million.
This capped a Group 1 pair post-Ranvet Stakes, sparking debate on entering the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
“She’s had two solid runs, we’ll see how the Queen Elizabeth fits in,” Waller said.
“She’ll be here for another two years so there’s plenty to look forward to. Who knows, she might be the next Verry Elleegant.”
Dubai Honour heads there next, echoing his win three years ago.
“By English standards it’s a quick turnaround, but that’s the plan,” Paul confirmed.
Racing enthusiasts can review betting markets for the Tancred Stakes and autumn highlights on leading racing betting markets.
