Racing: It's A Dundeel primed for Sydney feature

Handler Emily Murphy on It's A Dundeel. Photo / Trish Dunell

The only time It's A Dundeel has won fresh from a spell was when he made a winning debut at Ellerslie as a 2-year-old.

Expect that to change in today's A$500,000 ($536,000) Chipping Norton Stakes at Warwick Farm.

The outstanding New Zealander will get 1600m for the first time when resuming racing and that is going to make all the difference to the stallion.

"Last preparation we wanted him to start off at 1600m, but we couldn't find the right race," says trainer Murray Baker.

"We wanted him to go into the Underwood Stakes against Atlantic Jewel with a 1600m race behind him, but the only one was a week before and we weren't prepared to do that."

It's A Dundeel instead ran in the 1400m Memsie Stakes, copped an interrupted run, and ran home strongly into fourth. Two weeks later he did the unthinkable by downing the previously unbeaten Atlantic Jewel.

This time It's A Dundeel has gone through a long, searching preparation and is more forward to resume than in any of his previous campaigns, according to Baker. The stallion has been with Baker's son Bjorn in his Warwick Farm stables for close to a month and has settled in beautifully.

It's A Dundeel confirmed thoughts that he was ready for a first-up victory with a recent 1215m barrier trial win at Randwick. He was outpaced then stormed home to win.

"James [McDonald] didn't have to do a lot on him to get him up," said Murray Baker.

Although early yesterday the Warwick Farm track was rated in the slow range, the forecasts are all promising and there should be significant upgrades on the slow rating if the predictions are correct.

Even though Baker is not drastically concerned about the prospect of a slow track, there is little doubt It's A Dundeel's remarkable finishing sprint is sharper on decent footing.

No one is taking chances on It's A Dundeel. Surprisingly you can get slightly better odds on the New Zealand TAB - $1.90, compared to the $1.85 about him on TAB.com.au. Boban is second favourite at $3.80.

Perhaps the No 1 barrier for It's A Dundeel is not ideal, presenting the opposition with a chance of blocking him back on the rail, but McDonald will be awake to that. The small field of eight plays into his hands.