The 2013 Cox Plate favourite It’s A Dundeel passed a veterinary check when he arrived at Moonee Valley today and was given the all clear to take his place in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m).
It's A Dundeel, blue and gold, galloping with a mate at the Moonee Valley's Breakfast With The Best. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Murray Baker trained It’s A Dundeel sustained a hoof injury after beating glamour mare Atlantic Jewel in the Group 1 $400,000 Hyland Race Colours Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 21 and will go into the Cox Plate with five weeks in between runs.
Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey said that he has requested that It’s A Dundeel undergo a thorough veterinary inspection when he arrived at the track and Baker was always confident he would be passed after his near side hoof was re-plated this morning
Race jockey James McDonald rode It’s A Dundeel work on Tuesday morning at ‘The Breakfast with the Best’ trackwork session at Moonee Valley and couldn’t fault his condition or his action.
“It was good work, he worked soundly and felt good and that’s the main thing,” McDonald said.
“I can put him anywhere I like in the run now so that’s good.”
McDonald was looking forward to a re-match with Atlantic Jewel but that was thwarted with the shock scratching of the Mark Kavanagh trained mare shortly after the barrier draw on Tuesday after she was found to have damaged a tendon in trackwork.
Even though Atlantic Jewel is out of calculations, McDonald knows that it will still be a tough encounter.
“With the best horse out of the Cox Plate it makes it a little was easier but there’s still another thirteen to beat,” McDonald said.
“It’s one of the biggest races in Australia and it’d be good to win it.”
It’s A Dundeel remains the favourite for the 2013 Cox Plate at $4.50 with Puissance De Lune at $5.50 while the Caulfield Guineas winner Long John has joined the Gai Waterhouse trained Fiorente on the third line of betting at $7.
Turnbull Stakes winner Happy Trails is next in the market order at $12 with last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon coming in for some support and is now a $14 chance.
