Local star poses biggest threat to Caviar Heights at Rosehill
William Haggas' helper Isabella Paul, who shipped Caviar Heights from afar, is stunned that the horse's primary challenge at Rosehill comes from a high-caliber Australian competitor.
This five-year-old arrived in Australia with veteran journeyer Dubai Honour from the same stable and will take his place in the Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) on Saturday, the event doubling as the Aussie introduction for $10 million buy Barnavara, fresh off a Group 1 triumph.
"That's going to be tough for us," Paul said.
"She is a top class filly. But I'm very happy, I don't think we could have him in a better place.
"It always helps having Dubai Honour down here because he is such a pro.
"The other horse has followed his lead. I'm really happy with where they're at. They look fantastic in their coats, they are maintaining their weight well, and I'm really looking forward to Saturday."
Dubai Honour, eyeing the Tancred Stakes, is no stranger to Australia with this marking his third Sydney visit, but Caviar Heights is less familiar.
Much of his black-type results stem from Listed races in Europe, featuring two placings for Haggas over the British winter.
According to Paul, progress has been gradual as he tends "to be a little bit free" in competition and at trackwork, yet he is rounding into form.
"He led on both those occasions, and – we haven't talked tactics with the boss yet – but I wonder whether we might just try to drop him in," she said.
"He probably wants to be fairly handy, but he just has that tendency to slightly over-race. We saw it in his last run last season. He led and he was pestered, and it didn't suit him at all, and he finished fifth of six.
"Hopefully, if we can just get him to do it the right way, he's got a big future ahead of him."
For a horse from Europe, it's uncommon but most of Caviar Heights' form is on firm surfaces, save for a soft-ground placing in his youth.
Tom Marquand is reuniting with the duo of Haggas runners.
Discover Australian betting sites offering the best odds on the Neville Sellwood Stakes.
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