Second Stakes-Winner for Dundeel

Breednet - Sunday December 16

The powerful Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman operation wrapped up a highly satisfying weekend when Cutadeel triumphed in the Listed Barfoot & Thompson Three Year Old Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday.

Cutadeel - Trish DunnellThe stable had scored a stakes double 24 hours earlier with Mongolian Marshal in the Gr.3 SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) at Te Rapa and Queen Of Diamonds in the Gr.3 Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (1600m) at Awapuni.

Sent out a warm favourite off the back of an impressive win against the older horses at his last start, Cutadeel, a son of champion galloper Dundeel, overcame some buffeting in the home straight to storm to victory in the day's feature event in a manner that suggests he has a bright future over a staying journey.

"He's a promising staying horse who had to do a bit then so it was a really good effort," Murray Baker said.

"He's not over big but he's a neat horse and a good mover.

"It's a thrill to train a stakes winner by Dundeel."

Cutadeel's sire, former top-class galloper Dundeel, was prepared by Baker to win ten of his 19 starts, with six of those at Group One level including the 2013 ATC Derby (2400m).

Baker also has Derby aspirations closer to home for Cutadeel, who is currently listed as the equal $10 favourite, with stablemate Madison County, for the Gr.1 Vodafone New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie in March.

"We'll work it out in the next couple of days but we're hoping he can run in the Derby," he said.

"This race was won by Mongolian Khan and he went on and won the Derby.

"It's good that he has some Ellerslie experience now as he can certainly stay."

Rider Opie Bosson was taken by the performance of his mount when asked about the effort after the race.

"He got caught a little wide going into the first turn but he dropped the bit and relaxed beautifully," he said.

"He was always travelling nicely and we just had to get into the clear.

"As soon as I gave him a few with the stick and urged him on he really picked up and fought right to the line." – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Canberra
John Sargent has a great record with Oaks type fillies and is no doubt thinking that way with this blue-blooded Dundeel filly that broke the ice for her first win at Canberra on Friday.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Hawkes Racing Purchase $1.7million Dundeel Filly
A filly out of the Group 1 MRC Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me set a new benchmark for Dundeel when selling to Hawkes Racing for $1,700,000.
$340,000 Dundeel Colt Keeps the Momentum at Karaka Ready to Run
Shaune Ritchie has backed his judgment once again at Karaka.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.