El Roca set for Sydney debut at Rosehill

Tuesday 11 February 2014, 5:45pm

It's A Dundeel is already settled in Sydney but it might be another horse to be the first from New Zealand to make a mark on this year's autumn racing carnival.

A superstar of Australasian racing, It's A Dundeel is continuing his build-up to a return to the racetrack after arriving in Australia on Sunday.

As the winner of five Group One races, It's A Dundeel is an obvious pick as New Zealand's best chance for autumn glory.

But Cambridge horseman Trent Busuttin, who trains El Roca, is sure the promising sprinter-miler can figure in Sydney's best three-year-old races.

And despite putting El Roca on an Auckland to Sydney flight on Tuesday night, Busuttin is hoping the colt can make an impact as early as Saturday's Eskimo Prince Stakes at Rosehill.

"There's nothing around at home for him and I think he's come back pretty good so I think he will be competitive on Saturday," Busuttin said.

It will be El Roca's second Australian visit after impressing during a Melbourne spring carnival campaign which delivered a Caulfield placing and a Caulfield Guineas finish which underlined the horse's ability without providing the rewards.

Held-up after taking a trail, El Roca made late ground when fifth to Long John in the Guineas.

"He should have finished closer but he had no luck," Busuttin said.

Hugh Bowman has secured the Rosehill ride without committing to the horse for the carnival.

With Busuttin ruling out an Australian Guineas start, El Roca resumes in the Eskimo Prince at the same 1200m distance he claimed a Listed race in New Zealand before heading to Melbourne.

He goes to Rosehill after winning a barrier trial last week.

"Opie Bosson rode him and was very happy so it's all go," Busuttin said.

El Roca is one of 10 entries for the Eskimo Prince with Romantic Touch the topweight on 60kg as a Group One winner.

Golden Rose runner-up Dissident, who finished just ahead of El Roca in the Caulfield Guineas, and exciting three-year-old Savvy Nature are also nominated.

– AAP

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