William Haggas has done it again.
After twice producing Addeybb to lower the colours of pin-up mare Verry Elleegant in the 2020 and 2021 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the UK training master has returned to conquer the $5 million race with Dubai Honour.
Billed as a match-up between the English raider and local champion Anamoe, Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth (2000m) didn’t quite produce the result the Sydney crowd was hoping to see.
James Mcdonald positioned Anamoe in a perfect position trailing the speed with Tom Marquand on Dubai Honour stalking him, both horses presenting at the top of the famous Randwick rise.
But it was Dubai Honour ($2.30 betr fav) who unleashed the superior turn of foot, ranging up outside Anamoe ($2.90) then streaking clear to score by 2-1/2 lengths with Mo’Unga ($16) flashing home late to split the pair.
Haggas, who couldn’t be in Sydney for Addeybb’s heroics due to COVID, savoured Dubai Honour’s performance and said it had taken a very good horse to down nine-time Group 1 winner Anamoe.
“Anamoe is a great horse, take nothing away from him,” Haggas said.
“But this horse has come forward for being here and he’s won well today.
“Don’t under-estimate him. He’s a pretty good horse and he was never quite right last year and he was boxing against some good horses, top, top horses.”
As Addeybb did on his first visit, Dubai Honour plundered the Ranvet-Queen Elizabeth Stakes double and next stop will be Hong Kong for a hit-and-run mission on his way home to England.
It is unlikely to be Haggas’ last visit to Sydney and he could even return on a more permanent basis.
He and fellow trainer Andrew Balding have enquired about establishing a base in NSW and the idea remains a genuine possibility.
“He’s very keen and I’m pretty keen so we’ll see what happens,” Haggas said.
Tom Marquand, who was also victorious on Addeybb, capped a remarkable comeback from a shoulder injury to partner Dubai Honour.
He said the horse was brilliantly prepared, making his job easy.
“For the boss (Haggas) to target the Queen Elizabeth with another horse and pull it off, it’s just insane,” Marquand said.
“Genuinely, I’ve jumped aboard this horse on the right day at the right time and it’s everyone else behind it that got the job done, not me. All I had to do was point and shoot.”
McDonald said Anamoe turned in his usual courageous performance but found a better horse on the day.
“He was gallant in defeat. He got away beautifully, presented like the winner and the English horse is pretty good,” McDonald said.
