It's a Dundeel will be aimed for a sweep of Sydney's Triple Crown series after coasting to a six-length romp in the $500,000 Rosehill Guineas (Aus-I) March 30 at Rosehill Gardens.
Entering with a victory in the Randwick Guineas (Aus-I) last time out, the High Chaparral colt settled near the back of the field early before swiftly racing to within striking distance 600 meters out. Biding his time until 400 meters out, jockey James McDonald urged his mount and the colt responded with an electric burst to seal the victory.
"His ability to sprint is amazing," McDonald told The Sunday Telegraph about It's a Dundeel, who covered 2,000 meters (about 1 1/4 miles) in 2:02.25. "He had them covered in a couple of strides. We had it won 300 meters out and I could actually get to enjoy the ride.
"He is definitely the best horse I've ever sat on. It was breathtaking."
It's a Dundeel is one race away from securing the elusive Sydney series that culminates with the $1.5 million Australian Derby (Aus-I) April 13 at Royal Randwick. Octagonal achieved the feat in 1996, but since the Randwick Guineas replaced the Canterbury Guineas (Aus-I) in 2006, no horse has been able to land the classic triple.
It's a Dundeel's Rosehill Guineas task got a bit easier the day before the race with the scratch of Victoria Derby (Aus-I) victor Fiveandahalfstar, who is being reserved for $2.25 million The BMW (Aus-I) next weekend, with the Australian Derby also in his sights.
Trained by Murray Baker, It's a Dundeel has won three top-level races this season, including the Chandon Spring Champion Stakes last October at Randwick. Overall, he has seven wins and a second from 10 career starts.
The New Zealand-bred colt is out of the Zabeel mare Stareel. His grandam is 1993 New Zealand champion filly and classic winner Staring.
"It's A Dundeel is still improving, that is the incredible thing," Baker told the Telegraph. "That is probably the Zabeel coming out a bit. I've trained a few out of this family and they take a bit to get going."
Also on the card, Bel Sprinter broke through for his first win at the group I level in the $350,000 Canterbury BMW Galaxy Stakes after finishing ninth in last year's edition of the race.