Horse Racing Tips for the Tancred Stakes 2025

Finally, we have a Group 1 weight-for-age staying contest with a genuinely competitive field, promising a truly run race over the classic 2400m.

Unlike recent tactical sit-sprints, this edition of the Tancred Stakes at Rosehill features class, depth, and a tempo that should allow the cream to rise to the top.

With many of the best-credentialed horses drawing low and significant rain forecast, the challenge becomes identifying who handles the conditions and maps to win.

You can get my full set of tips for racing this Saturday via the link below.

Tancred Stakes 2025 Tips and Best Bets

Track Conditions

The meeting starts on a Soft 5, but with up to 60mm of rain forecast in the 24 hours prior to the jump, we’re almost certain to see a downgrade.

Keep an eye on the forecast as we could be as deep as a Heavy 8 by race time.

The rail is out 6m, which should encourage a steady move away from the inside lanes as the meeting progresses.

Speed Map

Tactically, this race will be won by those who save ground early and get into clear air before the bend.

• Vauban should enjoy a soft run in behind the speed, with Arapaho likely lobbing right alongside.

• Dubai Honour maps beautifully in a stalking midfield role, while Circle Of Fire will look to slide across from wider out.

• Duke De Sessa, drawn well, has the option to push forward or take cover just behind the speed.

• Zarir drifts back with cover, along with a clump of longer-priced runners all jostling for similar ground.

The Favourite – Dubai Honour $3.10

A proven Group 1 performer and an autumn regular, Dubai Honour returns to Sydney after a globe-trotting campaign, including a second at Newmarket and a solid run in the G1 Hong Kong Vase.

He swept the Ranvet-Queen Elizabeth double last year and is four from 10 on soft ground, so he’s certainly got the credentials.

But with a surface potentially bordering on bottomless and fresh challengers in town, he looks under the odds at his current price.

Neil’s Best Bet – Vauban $4.20

The Irish raider was enormous in the Melbourne Cup, and his return win in the Sky High Stakes over 1900m proved he’s settled into Australian conditions beautifully.

That effort came in his first start for the Waterhouse-Bott yard, and now rising to 2400m he looks ready to peak.

While the WFA scale isn’t in his favour this time around (he carries 59kg), the upside is clear.

He’s a Group 1 stayer with a 50% winning strike rate on rain-affected ground, and the soft-to-heavy conditions bring him right into this.

The Dangers

• Zarir ($21): First run for Waller, gelded, and has excellent form lines through Dubai Honour. Trialled nicely, loves soft ground, and is well over the odds. Don’t leave him out of exotics.

• Arapaho ($6.50): Ticking over beautifully this prep, and now ready to peak fourth-up. He’ll race on-speed, loves the wet, and gets in well at the weights.

• Dubai Honour remains the class horse, but just doesn't represent value at the price.

One at odds: Waller’s mare River Of Stars, resuming, looks a smart type and worth consideration for wider trifectas and first fours.

Neil’s Top Four

1. Vauban

2. Dubai Honour

3. Zarir

4. Arapaho

For thousands more tips including free selections for today's racing, head to Australia's best racing tips market at thegreattipoff.com.