Three-year-old colt It’s A Dundeel has recorded an emphatic win

Three-year-old colt It’s A Dundeel recorded an emphatic win in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens.

The 6.8 length margin separated It’s A Dundeel ($1.30F) from the Chris Waller-trained Sacred Falls ($10) and the Peter Snowden-prepared Tatra ($13) in third.

Cambridge-based trainer Murray Baker isn’t one to succumb to overstatement but he had every reason to praise his High Chapparal colt in success.

“That was brilliant. He’s been working very well. I think he’s kept improving from the Spring which I think is the Zabeel coming out in him. They always take a little bit to get going,” Baker said.

The scratching of 2012 Victoria Derby winner Fiveandahalfstar seemingly robbed the race of a major point of interest but the way It’s A Dundeel worked to the line made up for anything that the race might have lacked.

“When he was back second last I though ‘gee’ but the big sprint and being able to sustain it,” he said.

The Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) is the next stop on April 13 for the son of High Chaparral with the 2400m classic was always the aim after the stable only briefly entertained running in next Saturday’s The BMW (2400m).

The major disappointment in the race from a Victorian perspective was the performance of Hvasstan ($10).

Finishing seventh in the field of eight and beaten by 13 lengths, Manny Gelagotis – assistant trainer to brother Peter – was dumbfounded by this run following his win in the Alister Clark Stakes winner at Moonee Valley a fortnight earlier.

“He just didn’t handle Sydney at all. He was a different horse that turned up today. It’s disappointing,” Gelagotis said.

Jumping poorly from the barriers and having to be ridden up three-wide in the early stages, Gelagotis said that jockey Craig Williams reported that Hvasstan had trouble negotiating nearly every part of the Rosehill circuit.

Gelagotis though, wasn’t making too many excuses for the run.

Hvasstan will remain in Sydney rather than return to Moe, with the plan to press on towards the ATC Derby.