Top-level jockey Christophe Lemaire is set to make his Sydney debut this weekend when he takes the reins aboard Japanese runner Rousham Park in the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.
Lemaire, best known in Australia for winning the 2011 Melbourne Cup on Dunaden, touched down in Sydney on Tuesday ahead of Saturday’s 2000-metre Group 1 contest.
Rousham Park is among 15 horses set to line up in the Queen Elizabeth and has drawn gate 12, a draw that Lemaire believes will benefit the horse’s running style.
Lemaire was aboard Rousham Park in his close second-place finish in the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Turf (2414m) at Del Mar last year.
“The 2000 metres I think is a perfect trip for him and I’m quite happy with that outside draw because he’s got a big stride, he likes to have some space to accelerate,” Lemaire said.
“I think from the middle of the pace, coming on the outside, he can show his class.”
Meanwhile, Dubai Honour, trained by William Haggas, has drawn barrier 13, just one gate outside of Rousham Park. The UK raider is hoping to repeat his 2023 success in the race after also capturing the Ranvet Stakes earlier that year.
Dubai Honour heads into the race in good form after his most recent win in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Randwick.
Stable representative Issy Paul is confident heading into Saturday’s race.
“He’s in really good form and he was pretty fresh going into (last) Tuesday and he’s come bouncing out of the race,” Paul said.
“Hopefully that will leave us in the best possible position.
“I have obviously done a terrible job at the barrier draw, but it’s one of the things you can’t control, that and the weather, but there is a bit of rain about which should work in our favour.”
Favouritism has shifted toward Via Sistina after drawing barrier one. The talented mare was runner-up to Pride Of Jenni in last year’s Queen Elizabeth and is a six-time Group 1 winner this season.
Pride Of Jenni will not compete this time around, with connections opting to give her a break before targeting the Group 1 Doomben Cup and the Group 2 Q22 during Brisbane’s winter carnival.