Dundeel’s 3YOs target major Spring prizes
Dundeel's progressive son Dealmaker (inside) and eventual winner Tarka (light blue cap) fight out the finish of the ATC Stan Fox S. G2. The Autumn Sun (right) was third. (PHOTO: Martin King/Sportpix)
Success with Arrowfield graduate The Avenger at Moonee Valley, and a Group 2 quinella by the splendid mares Invincibella & Noire at Rosehill headlined a tremendous day for Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds on 8 September.
A trio of Group 2 runners-up also carried the Purple, White Stars, among them Dundeel’s progressive 3YO son Dealmaker.
He lost no admirers when going down very narrowly to Tarka in the ATC Stan Fox S. 1500m G2, after a blunder soon after the start cost him a better position early in the race. It was Dealmaker’s second Group placing after his Ming Dynasty G3 third a fortnight earlier.
A second Dundeel colt, Spendthrift Australia’s Irukandji ran on solidly for fourth in the Stan Fox, the pair split by another Classic contender, The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice).
Watch Dealmaker’s 2nd in the ATC Stan Fox S. G2.
Even better, Dealmaker posted the best last 600 metres of 36.45 in the race, and was the only runner to break 12 seconds between the 400 and 200 metres (11.80).
The numbers were backed by Hugh Bowman’s comments, “Delighted with him. Progressive type of horse and the best is still ahead of him.”
Three recent eye-catching winners, Global Exchange, I’m Dun Dreamin’ & Sunreel, only enhance Dundeel’s up-and-coming sire status.
On debut the Maher & Eustace-trained colt Global Exchange was third to the highly touted Approach Discreet who subsequently won by 8 lengths in Adelaide.
The Andrew Payne-trained gelding I’m Dun Dreamin’ was an emphatic winner on debut last month at Cranbourne despite being very green, coming wide from the tail of the field and being at massive odds.
Kris Lees sends the filly Sunreel to the Spring Stakes G3 at Newcastle this coming Friday after her 4.8 length win over the course and distance last month.
Other Dundeel 3YOs likely to progress this Spring are debut juvenile winner The Closer (also in the Maher & Eustace stable), and Ron Quinton’s charge Seel The Deel, aiming for better things after two placings from as many starts, one of them behind Group performer Primitivo.
