Dundeel's Sunsets Captures Caulfield Classic

Mark Smith - Saturday October 21

Sunsets needed to make up over six lengths on Riff Rocket from their most recent meeting in the Listed Super Impose Stakes at Flemington and turn it around he did in Saturday’s Group III Neds Caulfield Classic (2000m).

Sunsets toughs it out (image Grant Courtney)

Ridden by John Allen for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, Sunsets (Dundeel) stayed on tenaciously to defy Riff Rocket (American Pharoah) by a half-head, with Gates (Frankel) two and a half lengths back in third.

With his stakes breakthrough, the son of Dundeel advances his record to two wins and two seconds from eight starts with earnings of $171,365.

Natalie Young said Sunsets has earned his chance in the Group 1 Victoria Derby.

“We thought we’ve got to push forward from a wide gate, but when Gold Bullion dIdn’t lead, I thought we’re going to be under pressure a long way out, but he stuck on,” Young said.

“He’ll definitely get further. This is the most relaxed colt you’ll come across. He goes to sleep in the stalls and gets here on race day and doesn’t work himself up. He brings his A-game.

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“Don’t you love it when you’ve got a live Derby chance?”

Off to the Derby (image Grant Courtney)

A $150,000 purchase for Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) / Busuttin Racing from the Newhaven Park draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Sunsets was a $34,000 pinhook for DJM Bloodstock from the Segenhoe Stud consignment at the 2021 National Weanling Sale.

Bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds, Sunsets is the best of two winners from as many to race for the stakes-placed Fastnet Rock mare Waterloo Sunset.

Sunsets a $150,000 Inglis Premier yearling

 A winner at Caulfield and placed behind Serenely Discreet and Bella Sorellastra in the Group II Edward Manifold stakes, Waterloo Sunset is a half-sister to the Group I Schweppes Oaks winner Invest (Dehere) out of the Group 1 Flight stakes winner Unearthly (Zabeel).

Kia Ora Stud purchased Waterloo Sunset for $300,000 at the 2022 Inglis Chairman's Sale when carrying a Farnan colt and sold her to Ben Kwok the following year for $110,000 when again covered by Farnan.

Kia Ora sold the Farnan colt to Black Ridge Farms for $180,000 at the 2023 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale.

Sunsets is the 25th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s Dundeel

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Race Result - Neds Classic Gr3 2000m

Caulfield Track: Good(4) Time: 2:05.50
1
Sunsets
- 3c Dundeel (NZ) x Waterloo Sunset (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: John Allen 57
2
0.1
Riff Rocket
- 3g American Pharoah (USA) x Missile Coda (AUS) (Smart Missile (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
3
2.6
Gates
- 3c Frankel (GB) x Bellwether (GB) (Three Valleys (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody & Katherine Coleman Rdr: Damian Lane 57
4
2.7
Apulia
- 3c Fiorente (IRE) x Giannarelli (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes Rdr: M J Dee 57
5
6.5
Tokyo Run
- 3g Staphanos (JPN) x Press Issue (AUS) (Your Song (AUS))
Tnr: D R Mirfin Rdr: O P Bosson 57
6
6.7
Gold Bullion
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Gold Rush (NZ) (So You Think (NZ))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: B Shinn 57
7
8.9
To Be Frank
- 3c Almanzor (FR) x Veronica Franco (NZ) (Johar (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 57
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