Second Australian Derby for High Chaparral

Exciting High Chaparral colt It’s a Dundeel (NZ) made a one-act affair of the G1 Australian Derby with another runaway at Randwick.

The Murray Baker trained three year-old had scored explosive wins in the G1 Randwick Guineas and G1 Rosehill Guineas and that laid the groundwork for his crack at the historic classic

It’s a Dundeel (3c High Chaparral – Stareel by Zabeel) settled back in the field and zoomed to the line to win the 2400 metre classic by six lengths over Philippi (Host) and fellow High Chaparral colt Kingdoms.

“He was spot on and was in much the same form as the Rosehill Guineas,” trainer Murray Baker said.  “He’s got that great acceleration, he seems to just pick them up easily.  He’s a pretty relaxed horse, we’re very happy with him.”

It’s a Dundeel has won 8 of his 11 starts and he may back-up in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes against older horses before going for a spell.  He wasn’t offered at auction and is a half-brother to Ellerslie stakes-performer Twoeezy (Keeper).  They are from a daughter of G1 New Zealand Oaks winner Staring.

The first Australian conceived crop of yearlings by High Chaparral received a warm welcome at last week’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with 18 youngsters averaging $284,167.  His best result was a blue-blooded filly from Strawberry Hill mare Deedra that sold for $700,000.

High Chaparral’s top-selling colt at $450,000 was an eye-catching youngster from Brave and Bold that had a strong resemblance to his 10-time G1 winner So You Think.

Originally a shuttler from Coolmore Ireland to Windsor Park Stud in NZ, High Chaparral was re-routed to the Hunter Valley after his sons Shoot Out, Descarado and Monaco Consul filled out the trifecta in the 2010 Australian Derby.