While question marks hang over the ability of many of Saturday’s Victoria Derby contenders to run the distance, that is the least of trainer Murray Baker’s concerns about It’s A Dundeel.
The 2500 metres of a spring Derby has brought many undone in the past but canny New Zealander Baker reckons It’s A Dundeel’s pedigree speaks for itself.
The colt is by proven stamina stallion High Chapparal out of Stareel who is by super sire of stayers Zabeel who is now establishing himself as Australasia’s leading broodmare sire.
“All the hedge fund managers in New Zealand are saying `buy gold or a Zabeel mare’,” Baker said.
That might not actually be the most common financial advice going around but the Zabeel factor has Baker oozing confidence.
“I’ve got no doubts he will stay the distance,” Baker said.
“He has a dour pedigree and everything tells me this is what he is looking for.”
An easing favourite after being beaten by Derby rival Super Cool in last Saturday’s Vase (2040m) on the tight Moonee Valley track, It’s A Dundeel is now at $2.70.
He has drawn barrier 10 for the Derby, one inside Super Cool, a $7.50 chance.
The David Payne-trained Honorius, who has been placed twice behind It’s A Dundeel in Sydney and was an unlucky second to Hvasstan in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m), is TAB’s second favourite for the Derby at $6 with Hvasstan at $7.
Payne is another confident that breeding will be on the side of his charge.
“He has had a good preparation and I know he will get the trip,” Payne said.
“It’s completely different going from 2000 metres to 2500 and I know it will suit my fellow and not some of the others.”
Honorius is by Holy Roman Emperor who, like High Chapparal, stands at Coolmore. The colt is out of Zarinia who comes from the same family as French champion and Arc winner Zarkava.
Honorius will jump from gate two, a barrier that pleased his trainer.
“I would like to see him maybe four or five lengths off the leader getting a cosy run from there,” Payne said.
Baker said there would be no change to It’s A Dundeel’s racing pattern which has been successful five of the six times he has been to the races.
“He will be back in the field,” he said.
“That’s his pattern and I don’t see any need to change just because he got beaten at Moonee Valley.
“We had to run him there to give him some experience left handed. He will be much better suited at Flemington and the longer distance will suit.”
New Zealand’s leading jockey James McDonald, now domiciled in Sydney, will again be aboard It’s A Dundeel.
