It's A Dundeel stands alone as QE firmer

Tuesday 15 April 2014, 6:27pm

It's A Dundeel has emerged as the only meaningful shortener in Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting after the barrier draw for the $4 million race.

The New Zealand-trained star will start from the rails, causing bookmakers to trim his quote from $6 to $5 in Saturday's weight-for-age showpiece at Randwick.

Carlton House ($3.50) and Silent Achiever ($4.60) kept their place at the top of the market after they drew gates five and seven respectively.

Silent Achiever's trainer Roger James said he wanted a midfield barrier for the in-form mare.

"I thought somewhere between five and seven so I've done all right," James said.

The TAB's Glenn Munsie said Queen Elizabeth betting had been shaped at acceptance time when 12 horses were declared for the richest race of the Sydney autumn carnival.

"There is very, very little change after the draw," he said.

"Once you get to weight-for-age racing and a twelve-horse field it's not really going to change that much."

Jockey James McDonald has an inkling there is a sense of timing with It's A Dundeel.

McDonald rode It's A Dundeel against a galloping companion out wide on the Warwick Farm course proper over 1400m on Tuesday morning.

It's A Dundeel sat a length off his mate until the 300m before McDonald slipped the five-time Group One winner a minimal amount of rein at the 200m.

He went to the line with six lengths in hand, suggesting his run of carnival outs could end on Saturday.

"His work was very strong. Obviously his partner couldn't keep up with him but it's the best he's ever felt to me," McDonald said.

It's A Dundeel ran a much better race when runner-up to Silent Achiever in the BMW despite a well-publicised shoeing issue in the lead-up to the race.

The $10 million horse will be trying to win for the first time since he lowered the colours of Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood Stakes during the Melbourne spring carnival.

"He's definitely peaking for the right day and they don't work any better than that," McDonald said.

Randwick received more rain on Monday, keeping the course proper in the heavy range.

Track manager Nevesh Ramdhani said his staff had worked overtime to fix problems caused by racing on a rain-affected surface during Saturday's Doncaster Mile meeting.

Carlton House and Silent Achiever completed the main part of their Queen Elizabeth preparations on the Kensington track at Randwick, working over 1200m and 1600m respectively.

Silent Achiever worked with Sydney Cup entry Let's Make Adeal while Carlton House galloped on his own.

– AAP

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