Kiwi three year old It’s A Dundeel kept his unbeaten record intact in taking out the Group 3 $200,000 Co-Wyn Building Group Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Randwick today.
It's A Dundeel has made it four wins from four starts in the Gloaming Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
It’s A Dundeel made it four from four and jockey James McDonald was laughing a long way from home with Jim Cassidy on Strength setting a strong pace out in front.
Cambridge trainer Murray Baker has nursed It’s A Dundeel, bringing him up through midweek company and after winning at Wyong and Canterbury, Baker put him up against better class at Randwick.
It’s A Dundeel also showed his appreciation for the bigger Randwick track and after the race was set up for the High Chaparral colt with a solid pace, he wound up over the concluding stages to mow down the leaders.
“He’s improved a lot since last start. He’s made a big improvement going from midweek to a Group race like today and he won real easy in the end,” McDonald said.
“Distance is going to be his friend, he’s just going to love it and he just keeps improving.”
Baker’s Spring plans for It’s A Dundeel will be directed to the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3 but will stay in Sydney for his next start.
The Group 1 $400,000 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 6 will be the three year old’s next start and the extra 200m will suit him perfectly.
“The sign of a good horse when they keep stepping up. He was up in grade today and produced a good sprint at the finish,” Baker said.
“Hopefully we can get down to Melbourne if he can run good in the Spring Champion.”
The well supported Lunar Rise started the $3.50 favourite and after putting in his claim at the 250m was claimed by It’s A Dundeel ($4) and Honorius ($7).
