Dubai Honour’s playful behaviour on the training track typically foreshadows a stellar race effort, and Isabella Paul detects all positive cues before the British horse’s Tancred Stakes challenge.

For this year’s autumn in Sydney, it’s the eight-year-old’s third appearance, with Paul, who joins William Haggas’ Dubai Honour on all journeys, assured of his current top condition.

This is evidenced by his fresh form: Group 1 third to Goliath in German racing last September, Listed victory in England soon after, and UK second carrying 64kg in December.

“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).”

Tuesday morning saw Dubai Honour and stable companion Caviar Heights gallop at Canterbury, marking the end of quarantine protocols.

The eight-year-old Dubai Honour pursues back-to-back Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) wins on Saturday, replicating his defeat of Duke De Sessa and Vauban from last year, while stablemate Caviar Heights bows in Australia in Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m).

According to Paul, Tom Marquand, Dubai Honour’s rider for three of four Aussie runs, lands Thursday but passes on mounting the Haggas duo before Saturday.

“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.”

Dubai Honour excels in Sydney over four starts, losing just once to Via Sistina during last season’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).

Plans call for him to contest The Championships race post-Rosehill if fit, with Caviar Heights also Queen Elizabeth-bound, holding a Sydney Cup (3200m) option.

Chris Waller nominates Aeliana for Tancred Stakes, to confirm Tuesday on backing up from Ranvet Stakes (2000m) success at Rosehill recently via Ranvet Stakes.

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