Dubai Honour remains the favorite for the Tancred Stakes, but new imports from the Chris Waller stable pose a challenge. The English stayer's international form and track conditions favor him.
English stayer Dubai Honour was anticipated to solidify as the favourite for the $1.5 million group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) on Saturday, with rain predicted and his international acclaim back on the global stage. However, don't anticipate an effortless path to the finish line, as the Chris Waller stable boasts two new imports they believe possess the potential to capture the Rosehill feature.
\The William Haggas-trained Dubai Honour, the 2023 Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes champion, held a $3.20 TAB favouritism on Friday, ahead of the impressive first-up Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-prepared Sky High Stakes (2000m) victor Vauban ($4). Bjorn Baker's runner Arapaho, narrowly defeated by Vauban in their previous encounter and a proven performer on wet tracks, was the next best bet at $6.50. Ciaron Maher's Duke De Sessa ($7) was the only other runner in single figures. TAB's Tim Ryan predicted Dubai Honour, which last raced when finishing second in the Hong Kong Vase on December 8, to become even more popular. \ “Dubai Honour is by far the most popular, he’s about 40 per cent of our total hold, $3.60 into $3.20,” Ryan said.“I put him up $3.60. I could have had him shorter but with the uncertainty around the track tomorrow, the conditions we might be facing, and the fact he hasn’t had a recent run and not knowing what order he’s come here in, I wanted to go a bit higher, but he’s clearly the class horse. “The most interesting aspect is this is a world pool race, races eight to 10 will be, so I’m expecting Dubai Honour will be even more popular. World pool punters will know Haggas and Marquand.” Premier Sydney trainer Waller has six runners in the Tancred. His shortest-priced chance is newcomer River Of Stars ($13). Yulong Investments acquired the mare and Frankel gelding Zarir ($21), which both last raced in France in September, to bring to Australia. \“We’ve got a couple of new imports that we don’t know a massive amount about in terms of how they’ll cope with how racing is run down here, but their form is really good, easily good enough to win a race like this,” Waller assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.“Neither of them have very good draws, but both have got good jockeys on and seem to handle the workload and the flight and everything in really good style. “I think they’ll probably stay further, they’ll stay at Sydney Cup distance if we were to go that way, but I think they’ve probably got enough speed that they can win a race like this.Ryan said there has been some interest in River Of Stars, which James McDonald chose to ride, but none in Zarir (Tommy Berry). “James went out to Canterbury and galloped both on Tuesday morning, so he got the pick, and he thinks she’s got plenty to offer,” Duckworth said. “They both seem to get through the wet and probably Zarir actually gets through it arguably a little bit better.” Waller’s Kinesiology, Asterix ($71) and Zechariah ($61) were long odds, while Duckworth said Land Legend ($34) would appreciate the step-up to 2400m. \In the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m), Waller’s Movin Out and Declichy Boulevard ($7.50) were considered the most formidable challengers to star Victorian filly Treasurethe Moment ($1.60). They finished fourth and third respectively in the Phar Lap Stakes behind stablemate Lazzura, which was the $3.40 favourite for the Emancipation Stakes on Saturday.“It’s amazing how well she hit the line, considering how keen she was off the back of the farcical tempo the other day when Lazzura just had all the favours up front. “And Declichy, I think she’ll welcome the distance as well. If they can have more of a flowing ride it’s going to certainly help her, but the draw’s not ideal.
Horse Racing Tancred Stakes Dubai Honour Chris Waller International Stakes Australian Racing
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