McDonald, Waller and Aeliana combine for thrilling Group One victory
Outstanding mare Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) provided the tried-and-true combination of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald with yet another Group One triumph as she lifted herself off the canvas to run down European raider Dubai Honour (Pride Of Dubai) in the Gr.1 Tancred Stakes (2400m) at Rosehill.
Just seven days ago McDonald had equalled the 129-win record for individual Group One victories held by Australian jockey Damien Oliver, when he piloted Aeliana to win the Gr.1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill before breaking it on another Waller runner in Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) one race later in the Gr.1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m)
A third Group One win aboard the unbeaten Autum Glory (The Autumn Sun) in the Gr.1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) wrapped up the day and one week later Aeliana kept the ball rolling in a race she never looked like winning until 50m from the winning post.
Rider Tom Marquand took Dubai Honour straight to the front and kept the pace on throughout, as he shot his mount to a clear four length lead shortly before rounding the home bend.
McDonald had been keeping close tabs on his main rival and set out after him aboard Aeliana, who was giving it her all but not making an appreciable dent in the lead until the pair got within the shadows of the post.
The four-year-old daughter of Castelvecchio, who had showed her staying qualities when victorious in the 2025 Gr.1 ATC Derby (2400m), refused to give in and mounted one last challenge that took her up to Dubai Honour before thrusting her head in front to claim her sixth career victory and third at the highest level from just 18 starts.
Waller acknowledged the enormity of the task his charge faced in trying to run down Dubai Honour.
“It’s hard to beat a (William) Haggas horse when they’re being set for a race as Mr. Haggas does,” Waller said.
“He shows us what training’s all about when he comes down here. We knew we had to be on top of our game.
”Full credit to Aeliana, she’s a proper horse. She puts herself in the race, never let Dubai Honour get out of our sights. He threw the task at the 600 metre mark, probably a little bit earlier than what we liked but James (McDonald) just cuddled her and fortunately she was just strong to the line and we just got there in time.”
Waller admitted he was playing a hunch by backing Aeliana up just a week after her previous race.
“Just trusting your gut instinct more than anything,” he said.
“Her winning the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) was a big plus, so she’s won over the distance (2400m), so you’re not having to tick boxes. The only box we had to tick was the seven day backup. She’s eaten well, it’s been well publicised that she wasn’t a mature horse in the spring and she’s come back a different horse now.”
McDonald explained he had learnt plenty from the mare’s performance last week and put that into practice today.
“I had to be pretty patient on her because I learned a bit on her the other day,” he said.
“I wanted to learn from what I felt the other day. I thought even though it wasn’t ideal letting them get so far in front I had confidence that the mare would pick up.
“Once she balances up, she’ll find. Last time Nash (Rawiller on Lindermann) rode a terrific race and had me a little bit disorganised and I didn’t want that to happen today.
“Lucky we were on a superior horse and credit to the runner-up (Dubai Honour), he gave us one hell of a fright.
“About the 300m, I could feel her really building underneath me. I just felt if I went earlier and chased her I would’ve been just out of my comfort zone. It was a chance I was willing to take and I’m glad it paid off.”
Aeliana was bred by Nearco Stud and Rich Hill Thoroughbreds and is by Arrowfield Stud stallion Castelvecchio out of the Star Witness mare Temoli.
Her dam was secured by Rich Hill Stud for A$200,000 from the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast, when she was carrying Aeliana.
Purchased by Star Thoroughbreds for $180,000 from Rich Hill Stud’s draft in Book 1 of Karaka 2023, Aeliana has now earned over A$4.444million from her six wins and six placings from just 18 starts.
