DUBAI HONOUR AND ‘AUSSIE TOM’ REUNITE

By Darren Winningham | Wednesday, April 24, 2024

Winno is on asignment for HRO ... reporting from Hong Kong

Tom “Aussie Tom” Marquand will reunite with the William Haggas trained Dubai Honour in the FWD QEII Cup.

He faces a stiff task facing the star local Hong Kong runners Romantic Warrior, looking to post his third consecutive win in the race and the BMW Hong Kong Derby winner Massive Sovereign.

The race is worth HK$28 million and has Group 1 status.

Marquand rode Dubai Honour to victory in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April twelve months ago. Ironically that win was in a rain affected track and with the rain over the early part of the week at Sha Tin this could be of benefit to this English trained runner.

He competed in the 2023 QEII FWD Cup – running third to Romantic Warrior.

He resumed at Kempton on the all-weather track with Ryan Moore aboard over 2000 metres in the Listed Magnolia Stakes.

After arriving in Hong Kong, he had a look at the Sha Tin track on a rainy, gloomy morning on Tuesday and looked at ease working on the all-weather track.

“He's settled in really good. This morning’s not been easy with the weather but I’m very happy with him.”

“He’s great - a seasoned professional,” said Issy Paul, track rider and assistant to trainer William Haggas.

With a possible wet track at Sha Tin come Sunday this runner may get the conditions he thrives in to attempt to cause a boilover in the feature race.