It’s a Dundeel dealt the Australian Derby aspirations of his peers another body-blow in the G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on Saturday.

The Kiwi colt was sent out a red-hot favourite after a last-start victory in the G1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) and he lived up to that rating by blowing his rivals off the park at Rosehill.  He settled well back before rounding up the field and then sprinting clear to score by nearly seven lengths.

It’s a Dundeel (3c High Chaparral – Stareel by Zabeel) is one of five winners from Stareel who is a daughter of G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Staring.  “He has a big sprint and he can sustain it a long way,” trainer Murray Baker said.  “He’s right up there with the best horses I’ve trained like The Phantom and Nom du Jeu.

“He won’t run in The BMW next Saturday,” Baker added.  “The Derby has been our mission all the way through.”

Not offered at auction and raced by a large syndicate of owners, It’s a Dundeel has the impressive record of 7 wins from 10 starts with prizemoney in excess of $1.10 million.

His sire High Chaparral filled out the 2010 Australian Derby trifecta with Shoot Out, Descarado and Monaco Consul.  Bookmakers made It’s a Dundeel a $1.70 favourite for the April 13 classic immediately after the Rosehill Guineas.