It’s A Dundeel has completed the New Zealand part of his build-up to the Sydney autumn carnival.
The four-year-old, an early favourite to win the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes, came through a 900-metre Cambridge jump-out in top order on Friday.
“He went very well and it was a nice, easy hit-out,” co-trainer Andrew Forsman told New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing.
“He got back early and hit the line well with Atlante, they were both well held and It’s A Dundeel came down the outside and just shaded the other one.”
It’s A Dundeel, New Zealand 2000 Guineas winner Atlante and Show The World will be flown to Sydney on Sunday.
It is expected It’s A Dundeel will have a barrier trial before resuming in the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 8.
Four of It’s A Dundeel’s five Group One wins have been posted across two Sydney campaigns.
The TAB has It’s A Dundeel at the top of Queen Elizabeth betting at $4.60 ahead of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente ($6) and Boban ($8).
Set to stand at Arrowfield Stud in the NSW Hunter Valley when his racing career is over, It’s A Dundeel hasn’t been seen at the races since running midfield in the Cox Plate after an interrupted preparation.