New Zealand-trained star It’s A Dundeel has been battling lameness in the lead-up to the $1.5 million BMW, Racing NSW stewards have revealed.
One of the drawcards of the Sydney autumn carnival, It’s A Dundeel was inspected by a Racing NSW vet on Wednesday and will continue to be monitored before Saturday’s weight-for-age race at Rosehill.
A statement from stewards said It’s A Dundeel was lame on Monday but galloped strongly for race jockey James McDonald at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.
Nevertheless, It’s A Dundeel was trotted up in front of Racing NSW vet Craig Suann before he told stewards the entire was free in his action.
It’s A Dundeel has been fitted with heart bar plates since his placing in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 22 – a move that trainer Murray Baker’s vet says caused the entire to suffer “mild lameness”.
It is expected It’s A Dundeel will be fitted with standard racing shoes for the BMW.
But his final piece of work before the Group One feature will be done in front of stewards on Thursday before another vet inspection 24 hours later.
“Dr Suann inspected It’s A Dundeel at its Warwick Farm stable (on Wednesday) and reported he could detect no abnormalities and It’s A Dundeel appeared sound at the trot,” stewards said in a statement.
It’s A Dundeel’s Cox Plate campaign in the spring was interrupted because of feet issues after his Underwood Stakes win.
He went into the Cox Plate on a limited preparation before finishing worse than midfield behind Shamus Award.
It’s A Dundeel is winless in two autumn starts, finishing second to Boban in the Chipping Norton Stakes and third to Silent Achiever in the Ranvet Stakes.
But bookmakers have him as one of the favourites to win the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the second day of The Championships and he is a $3.80 second pick behind Fiorente ($2.90) in opening BMW betting.
– AAP