English jockey Tom Marquand isn’t fazed by a different lead-up as Dubai Honour chases a second success in the Queen Elizabeth

Trainer William Haggas changed tack with Dubai Honour in his lead-up to the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and jockey Tom Marquand feels it can still deliver a second win in the Group 1.

Trainer William Haggas has changed up the formula with Dubai Honour but jockey Tom Marquand believes it can yield the same result at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Haggas and Marquand have made the Sydney autumn carnival their own in recent times and will hunt their fourth Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in six years on day two of The Championships.

The pair combined to win the feature twice with Addeybb in 2020-21 before returning two years later to capture the weight-for-age major with Dubai Honour (2023).

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Haggas used the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) as a springboard on all three occasions but put Dubai Honour over more ground with success in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) in 2025.

“He did what was asked of him in the Tancred as he usually does,” Marquand said.

“It’s a slightly different challenge this year coming back in trip instead of having both runs over a mile and quarter.

“It’s an untrodden path for us being our three previous winners have run in the Ranvet and not the Tancred but to me, I am not worried about that overly.

“While he is a two-time Group 1 mile and a half horse now, I think under the circumstances now that he can step back to a Randwick mile and a quarter on a big open track.”

Marquand and Haggas have proven to be the thorn in the side of many of our best gallopers in recent times and will be looking to claim another scalp in the form of Via Sistina, who started her career in Europe before taking Australia by storm.

Via Sistina has already claimed five Group 1s this season and is the $1.85 favourite to add to her amazing resume in the Queen Elizabeth, a race she finished runner up in last year.

It's a matter of honour! 👏@WilliamHaggas and @TomMarquand do it again with Dubai Honour who pops another Australian G1 on his shelf with a win in the Tancred Stakes!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/QcLkKmaUdL

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

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“She is a proper mare,” Marquand said.

“She is very, very good. Realistically on his best European form, he probably does have to improve it to beat her but he is in great nick and racing isn’t as straightforward as that sometimes.

“It’s more than possible and is going to be a good races because there’s some dark horses in their likes the Rousham Park.”

A capacity field 15 runners for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes was reduced to 14 following the scratching of Fangirl.

Marquand expects Dubai Honour will be suited by his draw nearer to the outsider barrier 12.

“I would rather be out than stuck right in,” Marquand said.

“You get given the hand you’re dealt and I guess there is a multitude of things that could happen once the gates open on Saturday.

“William is great to ride for. He pretty much leaves it with me to figure it out and it’s a blessing to have the confidence to do that.

“And the confidence in the horse makes it easier to get it right, I am not saying that’s every time but the chances of getting it right are higher than you what you might ordinarily have.”

Marquand will warm up for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with rides on Fearless in the South Pacific Classic and Magnatear in the Provincial-Midway Championships Final.

Originally published as English jockey Tom Marquand isn’t fazed by a different lead-up as Dubai Honour chases a second success in the Queen Elizabeth