Dubai Honour tough task to beat Via Sistina gets harder after barrier draw

Pride Of Jenni, which produced a remarkable front-running effort to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last year by six and a half lengths, was being aimed at a title defence, but connections did not accept after her disappointing effort last start in the Australian Cup (2000m).

Waller, meanwhile, did not accept in the Australian Oaks with last Saturday’s dominant Derby champion, Aeliana, but Adrian Knox Stakes winner Belle Detelle will back up for the stable in the $1 million group 1 over 2400m.

Belle Detelle, a $7 Oaks hope with Sportsbet, drew gate seven and has Tommy Berry to ride. She joins new stablemate Leica Lucy ($4.60) in the race. The New Zealand Oaks champion will debut in Australia from gate one with James McDonald aboard.

Treasurethe Moment, a $1.60 Oaks favourite, drew ideally in two as she attempts to give Victorian trainer Matt Laurie a third Sydney group 1 win in as many weeks. The filly, on a seven-race winning streak, cruised to victory in the Vinery Stud Stakes two weeks ago. Vinrock, which was spelled on Tuesday, gave Laurie a second major in Sydney last Saturday when taking out the Sires Produce Stakes.

In the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m), Alalcance remained a firm favourite ($2.80) despite drawing out in 15, which will become 13 of 20 if all emergencies come out. Zardozi ($6.50) and Duke De Sessa ($9.50) firmed as the main rivals after drawing gates three and two respectively.

In the other group 1 of the day, the $1 million Queen Of The Turf, Waller-trained Fangirl was the $2.20 favourite with McDonald to ride from gate six of 13. Connections also accepted with Fangirl for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, where she has gate eight and no jockey declared.

Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker accepted with last Saturday’s Doncaster Mile winner Stefi Magentica for the Queen Of The Turf, and she was a $5.50 hope from barrier four.