Kingofwallstreet wins G3 Caulfield Classic
A very happy group of owners & family members celebrate Kingofwallstreet's Caulfield Classic G3 victory. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
Anyone who remembers Dundeel’s all-in, never-say-die victory in the Underwood S. G1 at Caulfield would not have been surprised by Kingofwallstreet’s pugnacious refusal to lie down in the final stages of Saturday’s $200,000 MRC Caulfield Classic 2000m G3.
The scratchings of Derby contenders Politely Dun & Red Aces left the Matt Cumani-trained colt as the only Dundeel 3YO to run in one of the final lead-ups to the $2 million Victoria Derby G1 on 2 November.
At only his third start and still a maiden, Kingofwallstreet proved right up to the mark, showing serious grit to prevail in a tight battle with China Sea and the favourite Keeneland, and become Dundeel’s 31st individual stakeswinner.
Kingofwallstreet nails China Sea right on the post over 2000m at Caulfield 👑 @CumaniRacing pic.twitter.com/WF84Dwlf7m
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 19, 2024
Matt Cumani explained the step up to Group 3 class, “At this point there was no point going for a maiden. Hopefully, he’s done enough to get in [the Derby] anyway, but it was nice to secure it today with a good win. It’s terrific to see him do it off a slow pace as well, and on this sort of ground, it means he’s quite versatile and very exciting going forward.”
Asked to compare Kingofwallstreet with another Cumani-trained son of Dundeel, Hit The Shot, third in the Caulfield Classic before a close second in the 2020 Victoria Derby, Matt said, “They’re quite similar horses in type…they’re not big, they’re very athletic, got great temperaments… I don’t think Hit The Shot’s Derby was a particularly strong one, so hopefully if this is a stronger Derby, this is a better horse.”
Bred by Jimmy Unwala’s Avesta No. 1, Kingofwallstreet was offered by Ross Hatton’s Rathmore Lodge at Magic Millions Adelaide where Cumani Racing & McKeever Bloodstock signed for him at $120,000. Said Cumani, “The pedigree stood out and I love Dundeel, we’ve done particularly well with him.”
The colt’s pedigree is indeed outstanding. Kingofwallstreet is the fourth foal of Our Girl Raquie (by Fastnet Rock), and grandson of Ten Carat Rock, a three-quarter sister to the great Redoute’s Choice from the celebrated “blue hen” Shantha’s Choice.
There are already two Group 1 Derby & three Guineas winners (plus 3 Group 1 2YO winners) on Dundeel’s stud record, but the Victoria Derby has so far produced only heroic placings: Sunsets (3rd, 2023), Teewaters (3rd, 2021) & Hit The Shot (2nd, 2020).
Kingofwallstreet ($11 in pre-noms betting), Red Aces ($8), Politely Dun ($11) & Duvana ($15) all remain live chances to tick that particular box for Dundeel in 2024.
