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.
More Racing News
Hickman banking on Future History for Cup success
The primary winter objective for Future History has been the Tattersall's Cup, and if the gelding secures victory, a start in the Melbourne Cup will become a tangible goal.This eight-year-old, who competed in Australia's most celebrated race back in 2023, has been running with considerable spirit this season. He achieved...
Touristic poised for resurgence in the W J McKell Cup
Peter Snowden is confident that Touristic is in good health and expects the gelding to perform strongly at Rosehill, despite a disappointing performance last start.The ten-year-old will be competing in his tenth start of the preparation when he lines up for Saturday's W J McKell Cup (2000m), having begun his...
Miracle Spin in line for Caulfield hat-trick, says trainer Bobbin
Andrew Bobbin's judgment on Miracle Spin looks particularly sharp now, though he admits there were moments he felt far from clever.The Stawell trainer even contemplated if Miracle Spin would endure a second preparation with him following a barren three-start spring campaign, which concluded with a distant last in the Penshurst...
Dylan Gibbons' career still developing
For Dylan Gibbons, a steadfast commitment to consistency has been paramount this season, a philosophy he intends to carry forward.The pinnacle of any jockey's aspiration is to capture Group 1 races. Should he succeed in winning the final major event of the 2025-26 racing term aboard Infancy in the Tattersall's...
Bazaball Rewarded set for Caulfield return
Kelvin Southey is content with his decision to withhold Bazaball Rewarded from city racing until the current campaign, and he is pleased she is now being given the opportunity to demonstrate her class.The four-year-old mare's three starts this year have all taken place at Caulfield, resulting in victories either side...
Portelli's Runner Numbers Depend on Rosehill Track Conditions
Gary Portelli's team at Rosehill could be significantly reduced this weekend, with the trainer indicating that many of his horses will be scratched if the predicted rain arrives and impacts the track surface.Portelli is set to have six runners on Saturday, including the lightly raced three-year-old Performance. However, her participation...
God's Window the focus for Chris Waller in W J McKell Cup
Chris Waller's stable is pinning its hopes on God's Window for the W J McKell Cup at Rosehill, as Rotagilla is expected to race in Queensland.Rotagilla has remained in Brisbane since its third-place finish at Eagle Farm earlier this month, and Waller's assistant trainer, Charlie Duckworth, has indicated the horse...
Alex Rae hopeful I'm Foxing can extend his winning run
Cranbourne trainer Alex Rae is aware that his remarkable winning streak will eventually cease, but he's optimistic that the horse responsible for initiating it can contribute to its continuation for a bit longer.I'm Foxing is slated to compete for her third successive triumph this Saturday in the $150,000 MRC Membership...
Venom Rush set to make amends at Ipswich
After a lacklustre performance at Eagle Farm, trainer Michael Morrison is confident Venom Rush can bounce back at Ipswich on Thursday.The three-year-old colt finished last in a field of 17 in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1200m) on June 6, a result that fell short of stable expectations. Despite being...
Splash Back readied for Tattersalls Tiara season conclusion
The Tattersalls Tiara is proving to be a test of endurance, and Grahame Begg is hoping for a smooth preparation for his runner, Splash Back.The imported mare is set to compete for her maiden Group 1 success this Saturday in the $700,000 event designated for fillies and mares at Eagle...