Cheeky antics from Dubai Honour during workouts often predict exceptional race results, as Isabella Paul picks up promising signals before the UK visitor’s Tancred Stakes date.
The eight-year-old enters his third Sydney autumn carnival this time around, satisfied by Paul—who travels with William Haggas’ charge every visit—that he’s holding peak fitness.
Supporting evidence lies in his up-to-date record: Group 1 placing after Goliath in September’s German feature, English Listed win two months later, December UK second with 64kg burden.
“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).”
Both Dubai Honour and stablemate Caviar Heights completed gallops at Canterbury Tuesday, wrapping up quarantine obligations.
Saturday brings Dubai Honour’s bid for repeat Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) success, following last year’s win over Duke De Sessa and Vauban, as Caviar Heights launches locally in Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).
Paul noted jockey Tom Marquand, partnered with Dubai Honour thrice in four Sydney runs, arrives Thursday without planned rides on the Haggas imports pre-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.”
Four Sydney starts yield a stellar Dubai Honour log, marred only by Via Sistina in prior Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
Post-Rosehill, he eyes The Championships renewal if well, Caviar Heights Queen Elizabeth next with Sydney Cup (3200m) backup entry.
For the Tancred Stakes, Aeliana holds nomination under Chris Waller, who’ll settle Tuesday on her return from Rosehill’s Ranvet Stakes (2000m) conquest.
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