William Haggas wins the Tancred Stakes with Dubai Honour

Besides Melbourne Cup day, there are not many Tuesdays in the year that have the quality of racing that we saw this week. Of course, that was down to the weather beating Rosehill’s card on Saturday with the racing quickly rearranged.

The three runners that all multi punters wanted to be with at Rosehill on Tuesday saluted to put the bettors on top of the horse racing bookmakers. There were some roughies on the card though as the bookies fought back on an outstanding afternoon of horse racing action.

Haggas masterminds another winning raid

Rosehill is a track that William Haggas just loves to send horses to. The British trainer has had 12 runners at the track, remarkably winning with eight of them! It is a ridiculously good record that the stable just keeps adding to.

In partnership with Tom Marquand, they have been a powerful team to raid in recent years. Dubai Honour himself came down to Australia in 2023 to win the Ranvet at Rosehill and follow that up with another win at Randwick in the Queen Elizabeth.

Runs in England, France, Germany and Hong Kong since his last trip has shown Dubai Honour to be a hardy type. He is one of four that Haggas has sent to Australia, the others to look out for are Desert Hero (owned by King Charles), Marama and Al Mubhir.

Moment to treasure in the Vinery Stud

The VRC Oaks winner won for the second time in Group 1 company in the Vinery Stud Stakes. She has eight wins in 10 starts now in her career, finishing second in her other two. It is a sensational start to her career for owner Yulong Investments and trainer Matt Laurie, winning her last seven.

The step back up to 2000m looked like a benefit for her, although the Soft 7 ground might not have been entirely to her liking. At least she has shown that she handles it now which has to be a plus for the future. She will look for a third Group 1 win in the Australian Oaks next up on April 12.

Three-way photo in the Sellwood

From the perspective of an exciting finish, there was no better race on the card than the Sellwood Stakes. Ceolwulf, Just Fine and Our Gold Hope flashed past the line together with 0.03 of a length separating them from first to third with an eyelash between the first two home.

The winner Ceolwulf had been involved in a similar race in the George Ryder on March 22 over 1500m at Rosehill. He had only finished third that day, beaten 0.15l. Stretching back out to 2000m was needed as he took a long time to force his head in front, getting there in the final stride.

Just Folk lands Doncaster berth

Backing up just four days after a win is going to be the task that Just Folk will face in the Doncaster at the weekend having landed the Prelude on Tuesday. The veteran went to the front and stayed there, looking in rude health, despite starting at $14 on the betting sites.

It was the Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm last June when he last won a race, with that coinciding with the last time that he was sent to the front straightaway. It is going to be much harder to do that just four days down the line in a Group 1 contest but he is clearly in good health after 46 career starts.

Most racegoers would have preferred the card to have been on Saturday. Even on a Tuesday though, there was still an air of excitement about the racing with excellent quality on show at Rosehill to see another William Haggas winner.