It's A Dundeel out to remain unbeaten

Thursday 4 October 2012, 5:35pm

It's A Dundeel has risen to every challenge so far and his jockey James McDonald is counting on his staying prowess to fashion an upset against the brilliance of Proisir in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes.

Proisir is the odds-on favourite for the 2000m race following his explosive five-length victory in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle, his third win from as many starts.

It's A Dundeel is also unbeaten from his four starts including the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) two weeks ago.

"There's a pretty good horse in the field on Saturday, the horse of Gai's who is going to be hard to beat," McDonald said.

"Especially considering my fella is a backmarker and he (Proisir) is an on-pace runner, so he's going to be hard to run down.

"But I've got a bit of confidence in my horse - he goes pretty well."

The Murray Baker-trained It's A Dundeel arrived from New Zealand in August as the winner of an Ellerslie maiden and has continued to win with narrow victories at Wyong and Canterbury before a fast-finishing Gloaming Stakes success.

The jockey believes the extra 200m will suit It's A Dundeel on Saturday.

"People have said he hasn't beaten much but all he can do is win and he is a horse that's never going to win by a big margin," McDonald said.

"He's a colt that only does what he has to and that's what he has done to date. Hopefully he can keep that picket fence going."

McDonald also believes the colt stacks up well against recent New Zealand three-year-olds that have been successful in classic races in Australia.

McDonald rode the Trent Busuttin-trained Sangster to third in last year's Spring Champion and second in the Norman Robinson Stakes.

He was replaced for the Group One Victoria Derby, which Sangster won.

"I always said he (It's A Dundeel) was better than Sangster, but Sangster was a different type of horse," McDonald said.

"Sangster had a bit more brilliance about him.

"This horse is very good but he can sustain a longer run than Sangster. He's got a high cruising speed and for a stayer he's got a good turn of foot as you saw last start in the Gloaming."

Proisir is the $1.45 favourite with TAB fixed odds ahead of It's A Dundeel at $4.80 who is the only other runner under double-figure odds.

– AAP

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