It’s A Dundeel Settling In Well In Australia

Emily Murphy, the travelling foreman for trainer Murray Baker, has revealed that she could not be happier with the way that It’s A Dundeel has settled in Australia.

It's A Dundeel has settled in nicely in Australia ahead of his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign.

It's A Dundeel has settled in nicely in Australia ahead of his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign. Photo by: Steve Hart

It’s A Dundeel had his first piece of trackwork, since arriving in Sydney on Monday, this morning and Murphy said that the five-time Group 1 winner has not missed a beat since returning to the Warwick Farm stables of Bjorn Baker.

“He is really well and we couldn’t be happier with him,” Murphy said.

“He is working great at home and we are looking forward to an exciting autumn.

“Both myself and the horse settle right in here, we know the routine, and everybody has been very helpful.

“We have everything that we need.”

Murray Baker indicated last week that It’s A Dundeel was in the best condition of his career heading into his 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign and Murphy also believes that It’s A Dundeel has improved from his spring preparation, which was highlighted by an upset win over glamour mare Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield.

“He is stronger again then he was in the spring and this is his time of year; this time last year he really came into his own,” Murphy said.

“It is quite exciting that he looks like he is doing that again.

“I couldn’t be happier with him and his action is fantastic.

“He is working as good as he ever has.”

While both Baker and Murphy have both been impressed with the physical maturity of It’s A Dundeel, it appears that the High Chaparral entire has started to realised he is one of the biggest names in the Australasian racing world.

Murphy said that It’s A Dundeel has been prancing around and acting very ‘colty’ since returning from his stint in the spelling paddock; with Murphy opting to take the four-year-old out onto the track early in the morning in an attempt to avoid any issues.

“We try and get out there early to try and avoid any hussle and anything that could go wrong,” Murphy said

“It is just easier to get him out there and safely back in his box.

“When he was a three-year-old he was sort of colty without knowing what he was doing, but he has come back as a four-year-old and he definitely knows what it is all about.

“That is just part of the course when you are working with stallions and you just have to be extra careful when you are handling him and trying to avoid anything that could go wrong.”

It’s A Dundeel will begin his autumn preparation in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 8 before contesting the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (200m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22, the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at the same venue on April 5 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.