Harry Coffey has faith Duke De Sessa will run out trip as topweight in Group 1 Sydney Cup

Harry Coffey will head to Randwick for just one ride on day two of The Championship confident he is on the right horse in the Group 1 Sydney Cup.

Group 1 jockey Harry Coffey has complete trust in Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa’s courage to counter any potential weight disadvantage in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on Saturday at Randwick.

Duke De Sessa, a 56.5kg topweight, is giving away 4.5kg to progressive stayer Alalcance, a $2.50 favourite, and 3.5kg to consistent Zardozi, who placed third in the Australian Cup last start.

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Duke De Sessa, trained by Ciaron Maher, finished second inside a length of globetrotter Dubai Honour, a multiple Group 1 winner in Australia and Europe, last start in the Tancred Stakes.

Dubai Honour is fancied to challenge Via Sistina in a blockbuster Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Coffey cannot wait to reunite with Duke De Sessa.

“I thought his run was massive (in the Tancred),” Coffey said.

“He was tough, he probably went as good as he could and just ran into a better horse.

“He’s in a rich vein of form so it’s pretty awesome going to the races riding a horse you’ve got so much confidence in and in good races and knowing he’s going to turn up and run well.

“That horse, Dubai Honour, when it slipped up my inside it had a real presence about it and Duke De Sessa felt it and tried to fight back and go with it but he just doesn’t have the same type of engine.

“After the line he was chasing him again and took so much pulling up, he’s just flying and wants to be part of the competition.”

Harry Coffey riding Duke De Sessa to Caulfield Cup glory. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Duke De Sessa is $11 for the Sydney Cup.

The 3200m distance on Saturday should not be a problem either for a stayer in form on fresh legs.

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Duke De Sessa placed in a 3000m Group 2 in France as a young horse.

He also placed third at Flemington in 2023 at 2600m.

“I haven’t overthought it (distance),” Coffey said.

“I remember last year’s Caulfield Cup, after it I thought ‘wow, is it a missed opportunity not being in the Melbourne Cup’, but Caulfield Cup was his grand final.

“I do have to be a little bit mindful, and Ciaron said all along, Tancred is his grand final, but he’s only had the three runs, whereas last time the Caulfield Cup was the end of a long preparation.

“I think he can run it out, he can get keen so I’ll need to be in a nice rhythm … if he gets a nice run, which he should from the low gate, he’s going to be tough and keep wanting to find.

“We might chase a few handy ones with light weights but you never know, he’ll try his guts out.”

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

Bold frontrunner and favourite Alalcance could be just the tonic for Duke De Sessa.

“I’d love to end up just behind it, it’s drawn a long way away (barrier 11) but you’d imagine being one of Gai’s it will be in the position and doing it the tough way,” Coffey said.

“If I can be near it, Duke will be up for the challenge that’s for sure.”

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Coffey has timed a successful partnership with the six-year-old former international, who has thrived the past six months, for a Caulfield Cup and Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m) success.

Duke De Sessa, Coffey’s only ride in Sydney on Saturday, was unlucky not to win the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) two starts back.

“Just the one (ride up there) but one good one,” Coffey said.

“You just pinch yourself how lucky you are to be able to find a horse that can compete in the great races and you can turn up and back the horse in and know if you do your job the horse will handle the rest.

“After Caulfield Cup I thought if nothing eventuates from here he owes me nothing but there’s been even more to add to the story lately and he’s going even better than last Caulfield Cup.”

Originally published as Harry Coffey has faith Duke De Sessa will run out trip as topweight in Group 1 Sydney Cup