Cutadeel (Jonathan Riddell) stretching out well to give Dundeel his first win as a sire at Tauranga today.
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Dundeel was successful on debut and his first winner as a sire has picked an appropriate time to follow suit.
Dundeel, a son of High Chaparral, 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 when he triumphed in the Matamata Veterinary Services 2YO (1200m) at Tauranga today. And it proved timely with the National Yearling Sales about to kick in later this month.
“It’s obviously a great result for Murray, who trained Dundeel,” said Forsman.
Cutadeel had been 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.
Cutadeel settled in second spot and the gelding finished determinedly in the straight to beat his stablemate Thomas Aquinas, who spoilt his chances by racing greenly.
“There was plenty in his trials to encourage us,” said Forsman. “I’m not sure he’s a natural two-year-old type, but he is a really nice horse.”
Cutadeel is part-owned by Mike and Sharyn Craig, who were part of the syndicate that raced Dundeel.
Dundeel has five representatives in Book 1 of the National Yearling Sales and a further two in Book 2.
Forsman 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),”said Forsman. “He was a bit wayward up the straight so it was a good run.”
Thomas Aquinas picked up $4500 for his second placing today, giving the son of Jakkalberry a slight chance of sneaking into next Saturday’s Karaka Million at Ellerslie.
– NZ Racing Desk.
