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Dubai Honour visits Hong Kong on his around-the-world tour on Sunday, bidding to become the first British-trained horse to win the Group 1 10f Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin Racecourse.
The William-Haggas trained five-year-old enjoyed an exceptional start to the season when taking two Group One victories in Australia: the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick. Both wins were visually impressive, with Dubai Honour beating his nearest opponent by four-and-a-half lengths and two-and-a-half lengths respectively.
Haggas seems hopeful about his globetrotter's chance on Sunday, saying "Dubai Honour was doing his best work late in a race that wasn't run at a true gallop when he finished fourth in the Hong Kong Cup in 2021 and it was a commendable run.
"It's possible he's a bit better now and this year's QEII Cup will certainly tell us as Romantic Warrior has looked like a hell of a good horse.
"But Dubai Honour has a sound temperament and a good turn of foot and we found out in Australia that he's able to handle relatively quick ground, which is important with Hong Kong in mind. He has a lot of positive things going for him and having a realistic chance in another major international contest like this is what it's all about."
His main market rival will be local hero Romantic Hero, who will be looking to retain the Queen Elizabeth II Cup crown after securing a comfortable victory in 2022 before going on to win the Group One Hong Kong Cup over the same course and distance in December.
Dubai Honour's regular jockey Tom Marquand has also picked up the ride on fellow British-trained Flaming Rib in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize over 6f.
Flaming Rib enjoyed a good three-year-old campaign in 2022, including a second in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. His owner, former footballing legend Michael Owen, has been keen to travel with his stable-star and the new campaign commenced with a win in Doha's Dukhan Sprint.
The four-year-old was well-supported in the Al Quoz Sprint at Meydan but the draw did not favour him. "We were popping the champagne when we were drawn 12 at Meydan as we thought the near side was the place to be but that wasn't the case," said Owen. "Sight Success was the only one who performed from a high draw and Flaming Rib's rider Oisin Murphy came back with mud on his face, which doesn't normally happen in the desert."
Flaming Rib has a tough task ahead of him, with Al Quoz Sprint winner Sight Success and Hong Kong's 2022 champion sprinter Wellington towards the head of the market.
