Unbeaten colts Proisir and It’s A Dundeel could face defeat for the first time when they clash in the Group 1 $400,000 Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick tomorrow.
Proisir (pictured) will clash with It's A Dundeel in the Spring Champion Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart
One of the top class three year olds will loose its perfect record when the Gai Waterhouse trained Proisir and Kiwi It’s A Dundeel meet for the first time in the Sydney Spring Carnival.
Both three years old have shown outstanding ability with completely opposite racing styles that has seen Proisir win three from three and It’ A Dundeel the winner of four from four.
About from his first race start when he came from midfield, Proisir has dominated from the front with Nash Rawiller and raced away with a six length victory in the Group 3 $175,000 Coca-Cola Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on September 19.
While James McDonlad has always settled It’s A Dundeel near the tail of the field before running home as he did in winning the Group 3 $200,000 Co-Wyn Building Group Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Randwick on September 22.
“The way he won at Newcastle I was over the moon with, back to Randwick over a mile and a quarter will be right up his alley and I can’t wait to ride him,” Rawiller said.
“The horse can position basically anywhere, he’s been a little slow away in a couple of his runs. As long as he begins he can be where ever I’m happy and just ride him from there.”
Kiwi trainer Murray Baker is unlikely to change his winning tactics on It’s A Dundeel and will instruct McDonald to ride in his usual manner with the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3 being his main Spring goal.
“I know everyone is saying you have to get a bit closer but he gets there, he knows where the line is,” Baker said.
“Gai’s horse is obviously very smart but 2000m at Randwick is a test for any three year old.”
“Even if it is an average run race when you come up the rise if there is any doubts about getting the trip they’ll stop. The VRC Derby has been his aim right through, we’ve just happy with what he’s doing.”
If It’s A Dundeel comes through the Spring Champion Stakes okay, Baker is contemplating going straight into the Victoria Derby without another run.
The traditional lead ups to the Victoria Derby are the Group 3 $150,000 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 20 and the Group 2 $220,000 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 27.
”The race at Caulfield is a penalty race and the race at Moonee Valley is only a week before the Derby, but he is the sort of horse that can go a month between races,” Baker said.
“First of all he has to run well to warrant the trip to Melbourne.”
The two colts dominate the Spring Champion betting with Proisir at the very short odds of $1.40 with It’s A Dundeel at $4.80 while four of the other five runners are at double figure odds with Bradman the rank outsider at $101.
