IRUKANDJI BECOMES DUNDEEL’S FIRST STAKES WINNER

It’s difficult to out-perform Champion Sire Snitzel, but his barn-mate Dundeel did it on Saturday when he produced his first stakeswinner from his first 7 runners. Doing the honours was Spendthrift Australia’s 2YO colt Irukandji in the $150,000 ATC The Schweppervescence 1400m G3.

Snitzel sent out 15 runners before his daughter Chance Bye won the STC Silver Slipper S. G2 on 27 February 2010, so Dundeel has clearly bested him on that particular score.

It was a sterling effort by the Hawkes-trained Irukandji, sent forward mid-race by jockey Corey Brown, then toughing it out in the straight to hold out the challengers led by Aristocratic Miss and the favourite Spin.

Watch Irukandji win ATC The Schweppervescence G3.

Brown said, “He’s a beautiful horse and he did not have a lot of luck in running…He was going as strong on the line as he was at the top of the straight.”

Michael Hawkes indicated that next Saturday’s $1 million Inglis Sires’ G1 would now be seriously considered for Irukandji, who earned his first black type when second in Listed company at Flemington on 3 March.

Irukandji has been a star of Dundeel’s stud career since his $240,000 sale as a Magic Millions weanling by Riversdale, on behalf of breeders Roger Langley & Nick Hodges. 

Purchaser David Kobritz’s Musk Creek Farm then returned to Magic Millions to sell Irukandji as a yearling for $500,000 to Spendthrift Farm.

Irukandji is the third foal of the Group-placed city winner Cerberus Gal (by General Nediym), from the family of Golden Slipper winner Danzero, who was bred by Arrowfield and returned there for much of his successful stud career. Cerberus Gal has a weanling full sister Irukandji.

Dundeel’s other six runners to date include debut New Zealand winner Cutadeel and placegetter Sunreel who, as it happens, is out of a Danzero mare.

Ten members of Dundeel’s second crop will be offered at the upcoming Inglis Easter Sale: a colt in the Bhima Thoroughbreds draft, a filly from Lime Country Thoroughbreds and four fillies & 4 colts in the Arrowfield consignment.