The Group 1 juggernaut of James McDonald and Chris Waller shows no signs of slowing down, as the class mare Aeliana backed up her elite form from a week ago to secure a gritty victory in the 2026 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

2026 Tancred Stakes winner Aeliana was too good again on the quick back-up. Photo: Bradley Photos.

Just seven days after her clinical display in the Ranvet Stakes, the four-year-old daughter of Castelvecchio proved she is the premier stayer in the country by running down the defending champion, UK raider Dubai Honour, in the Group 1 $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m).

The victory sees Aeliana join an exclusive club, becoming the first horse since Avilius in 2019 to sweep the Ranvet Stakes / Tancred Stakes double in a single autumn preparation.

Aeliana became the first runner since Avilius in 2019 to complete the Ranvet Stakes / Tancred Stakes double!

“It’s hard to beat a (William) Haggas horse when they’re being set for a race as Mr. Haggas does,” Waller admitted to Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race.

“He shows us what training’s all about when he comes down here. We knew we had to be on top of our game.”

Waller noted that the decision to back up the mare was based on her newfound physical maturity and her previous dominance over the 2400m trip.

“Just trusting your gut instinct more than anything,” he said.

“Her winning the Derby was a big plus… the only box we had to tick was the seven-day backup. She’s eaten well… she’s come back a different horse now.”

The race nearly slipped away as rival hoop Tom Marquand released the brakes on Dubai Honour, pinching a massive lead as they turned for home in a bid for consecutive Tancred titles.

McDonald, however, remained composed in second, stalking the European visitor before launching a calculated pursuit.

“I had to be pretty patient on her because I learned a bit on her the other day,” McDonald said.

“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, and then she’ll find. Lucky we were on a superior horse and credit to the runner-up (Dubai Honour), he gave us one hell of a fright.”

Dubai Honour appeared to have the race won with a four-length break at the 300m, but Aeliana began to go through her gears.

Even with 100m to go, she still trailed by three lengths, but her superior stamina saw her wear down the visitor to lunge and grab the prize right on the line.

The Waterhouse/Bott-trained Vauban stayed on well to secure third.

“About the 300, I could feel her really building underneath me,” McDonald added.

“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.”

Waller was full of praise for the now triple Group 1 winner.

“She puts herself in the race, never let Dubai Honour get out of our sights… James (McDonald) just cuddled her and fortunately she was just strong to the line,” he said.

While a tilt at the Group 1 $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) on April 11 is on the cards—which would see her face stablemate Autumn Glow—Waller remained non-committal.

“She’s had two solid runs; we’ll see how the Queen Elizabeth fits in,” he said.

In the wake of the win, Aeliana’s odds for the Queen Elizabeth have firmed from $7 into $4 at Ladbrokes, trailling only the undefeated Autumn Glow at $1.40.

2026 Tancred Stakes Results & Finishing Order

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