Despite his dominance in the weight-for-age features of the autumn so far, the James Cummings-trained Anamoe occupies the second line of betting for his Grand Final in the Group 1 $5 million Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.

Ranvet Stakes winner Dubai Honour is narrow favourite to take out the 2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes this Saturday in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.

Bookies across the country are having a hard time separating two last start Group 1 champions in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2023 field, but have settled on the international raider Dubai Honour.

The William Haggas-trained UK visitor put the writing on the wall with a simply sensational romp home first-up down under winning the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) over the distance at Rosehill on Slipper Day by 4.4 lengths.

The Pride Of Dubai gelding now sits narrowly at the top of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes markets at $2.40 through Ladbrokes to salute again this time from barrier nine with Tom Marquand to ride.

Haggas already has two Queen Elizabeth Stakes trophies in the cabinet having gone back-to-back in 2020 and 2021 with Addeybb who came off the Ranvet Stakes running first and second respectively both years.

Dubai Honour certainly has the right credentials to become the third Haggas-trained international Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner in four years, but does need to stop ace Godolphin galloper Anamoe from making it four-from-four this prep.

The spring’s Cox Plate champ has been flawless showing off his class in three perfectly-timed victories in Sydney this time in.

The latest from the four-year-old son of Street Boss was in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

Now he lines up chasing a 10^th Group 1 victory at his 25^th start.

Top Sydney-based hoop James McDonald is in the saddle once again with Anamoe jumping one on the inside of his major rival from barrier eight as the $2.60 second elect.

Both Cummings and Haggas have dual representation in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes field with the acceptances of Cascadian ($13) and Protagonist ($51) respectively.

Cascadian definitely presents as a potential threat to his shorter-priced stablemate having been in top form this campaign.

Two back he was an eye-catching second at The Valley in the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) behind Mr Brightside who franked the form going on to successfully defend his title in Sydney’s Doncaster Mile last weekend.

Eight-year-old Cascadian meanwhile also went on to win at elite level next start heading to headquarters and taking out the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) on March 25.

Adding further intrigue to the Queen Elizabeth field this autumn is the acceptance of the Japanese-trained $11 third elect Unicorn Lion for trainer Yoshito Yahagi.

Hawkes Racing’s Group 3 Neville Sellwood Stakes champ Zeyrek ($26) is the other last start winner in the mix, while the David Payne-trained Group 1 winning mare Montefilia ($15) is not without her claims.

The now five-year-old daughter of Kermadec hasn’t won since her two-length victory on a Heavy (9) track in last year’s Ranvet Stakes defeating the previous year’s Melbourne Cup winner Verry Elleegant.

She rarely runs a bad race however and was second to Dubai Honour in her ultimately unsuccessful Ranvet title defence two back before finishing second again last start to Arapaho in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

There are four Group 1 races taking place at Royal Randwick on Saturday for Day 2 of The Championships with the Queen Elizabeth joined on the card by the $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m), $1 million Australian Oaks (2400m), and the $1 million Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1600m).

2023 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.