A slashing Australian debut by New Zealand colt Dundeel on Wednesday has confirmed he can be a major player in the spring.
The Murray Baker-trained three-year-old came from last to win the Allan Denham Racing Handicap (1350m) at Wyong in a performance described as “Lion Tamer-esque” by Baker’s Sydney-based son Bjorn.
Dundeel will head towards the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney and then the Victoria Derby (2500m), aiming to become the third New Zealand-trained galloper in as many years to win the classic after the Murray-trained Lion Tamer and Trent Busuttin-trained Sangster.
Star New Zealand jockey James McDonald rode Sangster at his Australian debut on the corresponding week last year and he believed Dundeel was destined for bigger things.
“I probably rate this horse a little better than Sangster,” McDonald said.
“This horse is going to go on top of the ground while Sangster was better on the wet.
“This horse is very dour as you would have seen by him being out the back today early. He’s still got a lot to learn but he’s got so much upside and is a horse going places.”
Dundeel is staying at Bjorn Baker’s Warwick Farm stables and Baker says his father will be extremely happy with the Wyong result, coming at the colt’s second start.
“It was a phenomenal effort and he’s a serious animal,” Baker said.
“He had everything against him today. He had 58 kilograms, Wyong was never going to suit him, it was too short and he was fresh-up.
“But the good horses seem to come from nowhere and surprise you. Lion Tamer did that a couple of years ago and hopefully this guy can follow the same path.”
Lion Tamer won the Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) at his Australian debut two years ago before going on to claim the Victoria Derby.
Dundeel ($9) defeated the Chris Waller-trained Kristy Lee by a short neck with 3-1/4-lengths to Red Dynamite in third.
His victory denied Waller another four-timer with the premier trainer claiming earlier wins with surprise package Here De Princess and Midnight Minx before High On Believing took out the final race.
