A Group Three for Dundeel's First Winner

Mark Smith - Saturday March 31

Seven days after winning the Golden Slipper with Snitzel filly Estijaab, Team Hawkes struck again in the Group III ATC Schweppervescence (T L Baillieu) Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens with the Dundeel colt Irukandji who credited his sire with his first stakes-winner.

A maiden after three starts, which included a second in the Listed Festival of Racing Stakes at Flemington, Irukandji appreciated the step-up in distance to 14000 metres and he did it the tough way.

Advertisement

With Corey Brown in the saddle, Irukandji was caught on a limb from his outside barrier. Brown elected to press on with the son of Dundeel who hit the lead before the home turn.


Irukandji was entitled to feel the pinch, however, he fought on tenaciously, first turning back the challenge of the erratic favourite Spin then safely holding the finish of the fast-finishing Aristocratic Miss (Foxwedge) by half a length with Spin (I Am Invincible) a further length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)

"He's a beautiful horse and he did not have a lot of luck in running," Brown said.

"I was three and four deep, so I pressed on to go to the lead mid-race and he stuck on well considering I had to make two runs on him.

"He was going as strong on the line as he was at the top of the straight."

Co-trainer Michael Hawkes said the winner has a bright future and he will come under consideration for a start in next weeks Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes. 


"He had a horror run but Corey got him to relax," Michael Hawkes, who trains in partnership with his brother Wayne and father John, said.

"He elected to go forward and never panicked. He had a lapful of horse coming into the straight and got the job done.

"Spendthrift have been great supporters of ours and Arrowfield will be wrapped. John Messara, up there on the couch, will be sweating bullets at the moment, with Dundeel's first stakes-winner.

"We will have a think about starting him next week in the Group 1 (ATC Sires' Produce Stakes), it's pretty tempting but then again he might want further."

A $240,000 weanling pin-hook for Musk Creek Farm, Irukandji made $500,000 to the bid of Spendthrift Australia at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

That made him the second most expensive yearling from the first crop of Dundeel after the $900,000 colt out of Miss Finland.

Irukandji is the third foal and second winner out of the good racemare Cerberus Gal, a 3-time winner and 4-time stakes-placed daughter of General Nediym, who comes from the family of Golden Slipper winner Danzero.

Cerberus Gal has a yearling colt by Zoffany (IRE) who made just $1,500 at the 2017 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.

After foaling a filly by Dundeel last spring, Cerberus Gal was covered by Extreme Choice.

Irukandji becomes the first winner and first stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's Dundeel.

The 6-time Group 1 winning son of High Chaparral (IRE) has 10 lots heading to Easter.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Expensive North Pacific Salutes at Geelong
The highest priced yearling for first season sire North Pacific, promising two year-old filly Angel Ladder opened her account with a tenacious win at Geelong on Friday.
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
St Mark’s Basilica Filly Impressive at Ascot
Due back at Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) had an impressive new winner overnight at Ascot in the UK where Princess Petrol stormed to victory.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 25
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Inglis Digital Now Online - G1 Winner Velocious the Star
The G1-winning Champion 2YO Velocious (Written Tycoon) has been joined by a host of outstanding racing and breeding prospects in a tantalising Inglis Digital July (Late) Online Sale catalogue.
Lookalike Star Turn Colt Franks Hot Form Race
When Angel Ladder won the first race at Geelong coming out of the VRC Next Gen Series Sprinters Final won by Jimmy Recard, you would think punters would have looked closely at Redders in the following event coming out of the same race, but he slipped under their guard.
Spring Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at Warwick Farm on Friday morning with a couple of heats for Group and Listed winners that included Lady Shenandaoh, Ceolwulf, plus Cups contender Sir Delius (GB).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
Spring was in the air at the Warwick Farm trials with some of the big banger older stars in action and some exciting rising three year-olds that include a filly that has potential superstar written all over her.