Kiwi sensation It’s A Dundeel wrapped up the three year old Triple Crown with a devastating win in the Group 1 $1.5m David Jones Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick today.
It's A Dundeel takes out the Australian Derby in devastating fashion at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
It’s A Dundeel won like all short priced favourites should gapping his rivals and when James McDonald let the High Chaparral colt go at the top of the rise even the camera man had trouble keeping up with him.
It’s A Dundell has shown that he is the complete racehorse since trainer Murray Baker put the blinkers on and has now completed the Autumn Triple Crown with wins in the Group 1 $550,000 Hyland Race Colours Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 16 and the Group 1 $500,000 M. J. Bale Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill on March 30 prior to today’s win.
“He did it pretty easy today,” Murray said.
“We thought he was spot on, he was in much the same form as he was before the Rosehill Guineas.”
“He’s got that great acceleration. He seems to just pick them up. He’s a pretty relaxed horse, we were very happy with him today in the stalls, he was so laid back, you wondered if he was going to race.”
Murray trained Nom Du Jeu to win the 2008 Australian Derby and rates It’s A Dundeel the best horse he has trained.
“I think he’s the best, I think he’s a very good horse,” Murray said.
“To win three Group 1s in Sydney is a big effort.”
Murray is tempted to run It’s A Dundeel in the Group 1 weight for age $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in two weeks but will have to look for a new rider with today’s winning jockey James McDonald forced to miss it because of suspension.
“I don’t think I’ve ever won a race so easy and that’s a Group 1 in Australia, a Derby, you know, it’s incredible,” McDonald said after dismounting.
“He’s an incredible horse and he’s got a massive future ahead of him.”
“I know the owners and they said I would always get back on him.’
“He’s just a super colt for me and he’s probably going to take me everywhere.”
It’s A Dundeel ($1.24) cleared out to score by 6 lengths with McDonald standing high in the irons while Philippi ($9.50) ran the race of his life to finish second, one and a quarter lengths ahead of $101 chance Kingdoms.
