Arrowfield Stud's former
New Zealand Horse of the Year Dundeel was successful on debut and his first winner
as a sire has now followed suit.
By High Chaparral (IRE), Dundeel won at Ellerslie as a juvenile to kick-start a
glittering career that netted six Group One victories subsequent to his
retirement to Arrowfield Stud in New South Wales.
Dundeel's son Cutadeel, who is trained by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman,
emulated his sire at the first time of asking on Friday when he triumphed in
the Matamata Veterinary Services 2YO (1200m) at Tauranga.
"It's obviously a great result for Murray, who trained Dundeel," Forsman said.
Cutadeel had placed in both of his lead-up trials, the second of them at
Cambridge last month in the hands of Jonathan Riddell, who retained the mount
at Tauranga.
They settled in second spot and the gelding finished determinedly in the
straight to beat his stablemate Thomas Aquinas.
"There was plenty in his trials to encourage us," Forsman said. "I'm not sure
he's a natural two-year-old type, but he is a really nice horse."
He was also thrilled with the debut effort of Thomas Aquinas, who finished on
well under rider Matt Cameron.
"I felt a bit sorry for him, he hasn't had much exposure going this way around
(clockwise)," Forsman said.
"He was a bit wayward up the straight so it was a good run."
Cutadeel is part-owned by Mike and Sharyn Craig, who were part of the syndicate
that raced Dundeel. He is the first winner from Dineeta, a half-sister by Dylan Thomas (IRE) to stakes-winner Cathay Lady. –
NZ Racing Desk.