Marquand who counts on Dubai Honor to deliver in an abbreviated stay
“I think that, especially with maturity now, which extends to mile and a half on a more acute track like Rosehill, it was the correct decision to bypass the Ranvet,” said Marquand.
“He will demonstrate if he was right or wrong this weekend, but apparently watching and being in the Ranvet (up to the Mbhir) the other day, it was the right decision. I hope it really proves this weekend.”
Tom Marquand takes the air in hand after winning a second Queen Elizabeth on Aidybb in 2021.Credit: Getty
Dubai Honor has accumulated definitively, in front of Vauban, after a draw in Gate Four and the prospect of a wet track on Saturday.
“We all saw him in the past on a ground hit by the rain and he absolutely descends it,” said Marquand. “We hope that part of this touches the track and can help our cause a little.
“I jumped on him and he felt superb. (Assistant coach) ISSY (Paul) is really happy with him, who can see so well now after having had a Globe round at his side and have really known him. He is happy, we are happy and (he is) every systems go on the weekend. He is really exciting.
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“It is a horse that seems to really thrive traveling. I was lucky. I won a pair of group 1 on him now, and he is a bigger horse, he traveled very well, it was a superstar.
“I can’t wait to hope to block another and to make the journey feel useful. Many are put by Somerville Lodge and Haggis stable. It is an expensive journey. Obviously, it was fruitful on some occasions, but they took a lot and you want to grate them with the great winners, and it is an important horse for that.”
It was wary, however, of a hard field, in particular Vauban.
“It’s a nice horse,” he said. “Well bought, I thought. Obviously I showed that the other day winning at 10 Furlong.”
Marquand also sides in the other group 1 of the program, The Vinery Stud Stakes, aboard the Opal powers trained by John Sargent.
“I skipped above (Tuesday) morning and felt really well in herself,” he said. “She liked the little juice in the ground, I thought, when she was early and there was a little dew.
“For me, it was positive. I think he is also going with the eyelids. He made them on the gallop, so all the systems go. I hope he can return to a little of that spring form.”
