EXCLUSIVE: Anamoe’s conqueror Dubai Honour out of Sydney autumn

England’s outstanding weight-for-age performer has had a minor setback and has been ruled out of a trip to Sydney to defend his Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes title.

Dubai Honour (Ryan Moore) wins the Ranvet Stakes on Golden Slipper Day at Rosehill last year. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

England’s outstanding weight-for-age performer Dubai Honour has had a minor setback in training and has been ruled out of a trip to Sydney to defend his title in the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes during The Championships at Royal Randwick during the autumn carnival.

Trainer William Haggas contacted Racenet on Friday evening (Sydney time) to confirm he would still bring two horses to Sydney for the autumn – but Dubai Honour would not be on the plane.

‘We are disappointed to announce that Dubai Honour has had a setback and is unable to travel to Australia for the upcoming carnival in Sydney,’’ Haggas said.

“It is particularly frustrating as we felt he was in the form of his life. We have been planning for Sydney for six months now so this is a real shame.

“But given what is going on in the world at the moment, it is not a tragedy.

“I still hope to be able to prepare him for another tilt at the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong on April 28 with a run beforehand, more than likely in Magnolia Stakes at Kempton on April 1.’’

DUBAI HONOUR WINS THE G1 QUEEN ELIZABETH!

The battle we had all been waiting for, @WilliamHaggas and @TomMarquand have achieved the feat once again. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/t36Q3MWjZO

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 8, 2023

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Dubai Honour won the Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes Group 1 double in Sydney last autumn and was a dominant favourite in early TAB Fixed Odds betting to win both races again.

With Dubai Honour out of the 2024 Queen Elizabeth, Mr Brightside will be promoted to the top line of betting at $5.

Haggas, who has won three Queen Elizabeth Stakes in four years with Dubai Honour and Addeybb (2020-21), will still bring Mujtaba and Post Impressionist to Sydney for the autumn carnival.

“We will be represented by Mujtaba who will be aimed at the Ranvet and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, although he does have the option of the Tancred Stakes,’’ Haggas said.

“He is training well and due to enter quarantine today (Friday) along with Post Impressionist, a useful stayer who will be aimed at the Manion Cup and the Sydney Cup.’’

Haggas said his stable’s travelling foreperson Isabella Paul would again accompany his team to Sydney for the autumn carnival.

Mujtaba and Post Impressionist are due to arrive in Sydney in about two weeks and will be stabled at Canterbury’s quarantine and training facility.