The showdown between Aeliana and Dubai Honour was an epic clash between two outstanding weight-for-age performers at the peak of their powers.
Aeliana dug deep to run down Dubai Honour and claim the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday, with both horses enhancing their reputations in a thrilling finish.
Wow! 😮 A race to remember in the G1 Tancred Stakes, with Aeliana digging deep to get the win, as she nails the Ranvet-Tancred G1 double! 💪@mcacajamez @cwallerracing @StarTbreds pic.twitter.com/3rH6K9pi3w
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 28, 2026
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller likened Aeliana to his former champion Verry Elleegant, while English raider Dubai Honour showed age is no barrier to elite performance.
This was weight-for-age racing at its finest – two elite gallopers locked in a stirring duel, guided by two of the world’s top jockeys executing bold tactics.
Tom Marquand took the initiative aboard Dubai Honour, electing to lead, forcing James McDonald to position Aeliana close in second and keep his main rival within striking distance.
The move nearly paid off. Turning for home, Marquand allowed Dubai Honour to surge clear, opening up a three-length lead and attempting to pinch the race.
But Aeliana refused to concede. Under McDonald, she gradually reeled in the leader, wearing him down stride by stride before getting there in the final bounds.
“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.”
The Tancred Stakes has produced many memorable battles – from Octagonal’s famous win over Arkady in 1997 to Makybe Diva’s surge past Grand Armee in 2005 – but this contest ranks among the very best.
Aeliana ($1.70 favourite) prevailed by a short head over Dubai Honour ($3.60), with nearly five lengths back to Vauban ($7) in third.
It was McDonald’s 10th Group 1 winner of the season, though it was far from straightforward.
“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.”
McDonald admitted he would have preferred cover but had to adapt to Marquand’s unexpected front-running tactics.
“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 said the aggressive approach was deliberate.
“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.”
Dubai Honour’s travelling assistant trainer Issy Paul echoed that sentiment.
“It’s disappointing to lose but he’s run a great race. I’m very proud of him.”
Aeliana, purchased for $180,000 by Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds, has now won six of her 18 starts, including three at Group 1 level, and has amassed more than $4.3 million in prizemoney.
Her victory completed a Group 1 double after success in the Ranvet Stakes, with connections now considering whether she backs up again in 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 is set to head to the same race, which he famously won three years ago.
“By English standards it’s a quick turnaround, but that’s the plan,” Paul confirmed.
Punters can compare markets for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and other autumn features through leading Australian betting sites.
