There’s no doubt It’s A Dundeel is a seriously good horse. But is he a bonafide champion deserving of the title of best horse in Australia?
The four-year-old boasts an incredibly impressive record: nine wins and two minor placings from 14 starts, five of them at Group 1 level, and prize money of $2,377,155.
It’s A Dundeel proved he was above average when he dominated the Sydney autumn carnival. He was brilliant in becoming the first horse since the great Octagonal in 1996 to claim the Triple Crown (Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas and ATC Australian Derby), winning the final two legs by an aggregate of almost 13 lengths, while his six-length Derby triumph was one of the easiest and most impressive in the history of the race. His amazing autumn was recognised when he was awarded the 2013 NSW Champion Horse of the Year award.
He’s also the only horse to have lowered the colours of the brilliant Atlantic Jewel.
Yet despite all of that, he’s widely regarded as slightly inferior to Mark Kavanagh’s champion and that’s grossly unfair in my opinion.
Now before you start hurling abuse my way, I’m not for minute potting Atlantic Jewel. She was every bit a superstar and had the potential to be one of the all-time greats.
But, why after Black Caviar’s retirement has Atlantic Jewel been regarded as the sole headline act?
Is it because It’s A Dundeel is a Kiwi? Surely not! We all know Aussies love to claim those with talent from across the ditch as their own; be it person, food or animal (refer Russell Crowe, Crowded House, Pavlova, Phar Lap etc.).
Perhaps everyone was mesmerised by Atlantic Jewel’s amazing first-up win in the Memsie Stakes where she made a high class field, including It’s A Dundeel, look second rate.
Or maybe it is due to the fact Atlantic Jewel, before being retired earlier in the week, tasted defeat only once (to It’s A Dundeel) from 11 starts, whereas the son of High Chaparral has a winning strike rate just shy of 65 per cent.
Whatever the case I feel the Kiwi is a genuine superstar, underrated and deserving of at least equal footing as Atlantic Jewel.
It’s A Dundeel will prove himself a champion if he wins Saturday’s Cox Plate.
Some might argue he’s been gifted his chance to claim the weight-for-age classic of Australia given Atlantic Jewel’s absence.
And while there’s no doubt ‘AJ’ would’ve been extremely hard to hold out, these things happen and you can only beat the opposition you come up against.
It must be remembered It’s A Dundeel suffered an injury en route to the Cox Plate and question marks must remain as to how much that has set him back. It certainly hasn’t been the perfect preparation.
It’s by no means a vintage renewal of the Cox Plate. But with Fiorente, Puissance De Lune, Super Cool, Green Moon and Long John, there’s still a host of very good gallopers in the mix to claim the $1.8M purse.
And if Murray Baker has It’s A Dundeel 100 per cent fit he should be winning on Saturday and stamping himself, once and for all, as the best horse in Australasia and a potential star on the world stage.
Conor Quinn
Guest
No sweat with Shamus :) Now c'mon Verema :) And Verema 'only' needs to be placed in the first 5 :)
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
*tasty!
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Conor - The 3YO's certainly look to have a chance, although even despite Shamus Award's good form, he is still a maiden and that worries me. Good on the owners and Danny O'Brien for having a throw at the stumps, though. I interviewed Peter Snowden last week (piece is up on The Roar) and he was bullish about Long John's chances...and that was before Atlantic Jewel came out. Good luck with your tatsy multi-bets!
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
Brent - do you think PDL is top class? Still have my doubts he's absolute elite. Prefer him in the Cup to the Coxy, though. Long John is a seriously talented horse and a winner (5 of 7). Barrier might hurt his chances a bit but definitely in the mix.
Conor Quinn
Guest
Although It's a Dundeel is a champion horse the injury interrupted preparation for the Cox Plate gives me paws, woof woof. With a little more rain it sets the race up for the lightweights to be ultra competitive. So I will combine Long John to win the Cox Plate and Verema to win the Melbourne Cup in a fixed odds multi bet for about a 100 to 1 return. As a back up I will multi Shamus Award for a place in the Cox Plate with Verema for a place in the Melbourne Cup for a 21 to 1 return. Actually those do sound pretty tasty. TAB here I come...
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
PDL will win the Melbourne Cup, can't see it running well in the Cox. Long John surely with the amount of weight he is carrying has to be a big chance, will also like to query the injury issues that It's a Dundeel has had recently.
Steve
Guest
Can't leave It's A Dundeel out, but leaning towards Happy Trails (great turn of foot) and Fiorente at the moment. Long John with 49.5kgs has to be a big chance also. With such a light weight he should be scooting home. PDL and Green Moon are quality horses but I'll likely risk them ahead of the Melbourne Cup.
Trent Masenhelder
Roar Guru
That's a concern for me too. Not sure if he'll be as effective at the Valley as opposed to the big track at Flemington. He's had one go at MV was comprehensively beaten by Super Cool (in the Vase this day last year). Perhaps he's not as good the Melbourne way of going either but I still think he's the best horse in the race and as I said, if he's over his injury worries, reckon he wins. Who do you fancy?
Steve
Guest
I wouldnt say It's A Dundeel is underrated, but it was very surprising that he jumped at around $8 when beating AJ last up...I thought that was way overs for a horse with his record. It will be a tough race tomorrow and i think others are better suited to the short straight at the Valley.