New Zealand trainer Murray Baker will discuss with Arrowfield head John Messara the path that It’s A Dundeel will follow for the remainder of the BMW Sydney Carnival following his third in the Group 1 $500,000 Ranvet Stakes(2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
It's A Dundeel's final Autumn program still to be determined. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Baker sounded slightly disappointed with It’s A Dundeel’s finishing effort when third to Silent Achiever and Carlton House in the weight for age Ranvet Stakes and will work out in the next couple of days which races the High Chaparral stallion will race in over ‘The Championships’.
The Ranvet Stakes was billed as a match race between It’s A Dundeel and Fiorente but that didn’t eventuate with the Gai Waterhouse trained Melbourne Cup winner also failing to run up to expectations and faded to finish seventh in the nine horse field.
“The horse has pulled up perfect, there’s not a thing wrong with him, he just didn’t kick,’’ Baker told The Daily Telegraph.
“He was beautifully ridden, but he just seemed to grind away.”
Baker’s original plan was to run in the Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 5 and then drop back in distance for the Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 19, the second day of ‘The Championships.’
But now the other options that has appeared are a start in the Group 1 $3m The Star Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick with 58kgs on April 12, the first day of ‘The Championships’ and then into the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or just head straight to the second day of ‘The Championships’ without another run.
“He might miss The BMW because he is that bit dour, and that will leave him fresher going into the Queen Elizabeth,” Baker said.
“We could also freshen him up for the Doncaster. He has a big weight, and he’s not a giant horse, but the handicappers are usually accurate.’’
“I will be happy to stay on the same track. It’s worth noting that they weren’t winning from off the pace on Saturday.”
Baker is happy with the way It’s A Dundeel has pulled up and has given him the all clear following a thorough vet check.
“I’ m happy with the horse, he came through the race well,” he said.
“The vet checked him over yesterday and he was perfect.”
It’s A Dundeel still remains at the top the Ladbrokes.com.au market order for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at $4.80 ahead of Fiorente at $5.50 and Carlton House at $7.
The Chris Waller trained Boban and Ranvet Stakes winner Silent Achiever are next in the betting at $7.50.
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