William Haggas has once again made a mark on Australian turf, with Dubai Honour showcasing his class in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.
Unbeaten in Sydney and starting at $3.20 with online betting sites, Dubai Honour added to his 2023 Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes victories with a convincing performance.
In Tuesday’s postponed race, he held off Duke De Sessa ($5.50) by three-quarters of a length, with Vauban ($3.10 favourite) another half-length away in third place.
Isabella Paul, who has guided Haggas’ Australian runners including the successful Golden Eagle raid, was full of emotion following the win.
“Anyone who knows me knows how special this horse is to me and to the whole team. He is just an absolute star,” Paul said.
“He’s seven-years-old and he has proved again he is still at top-class level.
“He is the most perfect horse to travel. He never misses a beat. I never worry about him.
“We joke that he’s like a labrador because he is like my pet. I’m just so proud of him.”
Tom Marquand, who partnered Dubai Honour to victory, said Group 1 success was the ultimate reward for the trip down under.
“I’ve been here a couple of weeks and it was starting to get a bit dull,” Marquand said.
“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.”
Dubai Honour may head to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next, depending on how he pulls up post-race.
Although the Tancred Stakes (2400m) was their primary objective, Paul is confident the gelding can adjust to the shorter 2000m distance if needed.
“This race, for me, it felt like it was his race this year and I was really keen that he came here. He has proved himself over that mile-and-a-half trip,” Paul said.
“Stepping back to 2000 metres, we haven’t really got an option, but there is no reason not to try, especially after that performance.
“He is such a star for the stable and it’s nice to see that at seven-years-old he is still winning.”
Duke De Sessa’s jockey Harry Coffey praised the gelding’s toughness after his front-running effort.
“Super proud of him. He is flying. He’s in the zone,” Coffey said.
“He just got beaten by a really good horse. He was a sitting duck up the straight.”
Tim Clark said Vauban, considered an early Melbourne Cup favourite, gave his all in the closing stages.
“I thought once he got clear he finished the race off really well,” Clark said.
