Dubai Honour for William Haggas and star jockey Ryan Moore have combined to win the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes in emphatic fashion.
The European gelding was brought over on a mission similarly to Addeybb; who travelled to Australia completing the Ranvet Stakes and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes double in 2020.
He got into as short as $4.20 but punters seemed concerned with his form on drier surfaces appearing a query to some, seeing the eventual winner drift to $6 prior to the jump.
It was an expert steer form Ryan Moore who brought up is 169th Group 1 win, with success all over the world and this one in a dominant display.
Hinged lead throughout the 2000m journey and set a strong enough tempo as Mo'unga elected to sit outside the leader.
This left Ryan Moore and Dubai Honour following Hinged the entire trip before peeling off her back to get the saloon passage down the Rosehill straight.
From there it was all over as Dubai Honour stormed clear, leaving the ever-consistent Montefilia powering into second place.
2023 Group 1 Ranvet Stakes Replay – Dubai Honour
Isabella Paul was here to represent the William Haggas team just as she did last week after Protagonist saw success and she was very pleased with Dubai Honour's return.
“He's a very special little horse,” said Paul.
“He probably wasn't at his best last year, but he's definitely back to it now and it's great to see him get his head in front again.”
“He just looks amazing, he's really been enjoying the Australian lifestyle. He thinks it's a big holiday and he really really enjoys it.”
Despite the dominant win, Isabella Paul did echo the sentiment regarding his form on good vs soft going heading into a Queen Elizabeth later in the preparation.
“He won on good ground at Newmarket but most of his Group form has been on softer ground including the second in the Champion Stakes.”
“We're lucky, we got away with it today. We'd still like some more rain but delighted with the horse, he's been really tough.”
Ryan Moore spoke to his gallopers prior form as a three-year-old and the sense of timing for the Haggas yard down under. He also gave mention to the mouth-watering clash with Anamoe in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth.
“He had very good form as a three-year-old and last year things didn't quite go his way and William (Haggas) gelded him,” said Moore.
“William's horses when they come down here they tend to perform very well. He was a level above them really, class told. He picked them up well, the race was dead with 300m to run.
“Anamoe is an incredible race horse, he's got a tremendous record. From what I see he only really tends to do enough so you wouldn't be sure what's in the tank.
“That will be a different level opposition. I supposed strictly on form Dubai Honour, it would appear that he will give him a good race.
Dubai Honour is now a clear second favourite for the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth at $3 with online betting sites.