Trainer Murray Baker believes It’s A Dundeel has made good physical progression ahead of the gun Kiwi galloper's first-up run in Saturday’s Group 1 New Zealand Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Last seen finishing runner-up behind Reliable Man in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in April, that performance followed three successive Group 1 victories to complete the famous Sydney three-year-old Triple Crown (Randwick Guineas, Rosehill Guineas, Australian Derby).

Following a gallop on the course proper at Flemington this morning, Baker said the son of High Chaparral was ready to go on Saturday and had really grown and strengthened during his break.

“He was never a weak looking horse but he’s grown and thickened up quite a bit,” Baker said

“I’m pretty happy with him but it would be hard to see him feature in a 1400-metre Group 1 weight-for-age race.

“He isn’t anymore wound up than when he ran in the Hobartville (1400m) in Sydney first up in the autumn, he’s only had the one jumpout and he’s quite fresh.

“He didn’t have the blinkers on first up last preparation but they went on at his next start in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and they’ve stayed on and he’ll be racing in them on Saturday.

“We thought that we’d go for this race and then if anything went wrong in the next few days we’ve still got the Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600 metres next week.”

Following the Memsie, Baker said It’s A Dundeel would then run in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Septmber 21, the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at the same track on October 12, before lining in the Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26.

It’s A Dundeel is currently rated the $6.50 second favourite for the Cox Plate with TAB fixed odds.

It’s A Dundeel won’t be Baker’s only runner at Caulfield on Saturday with the New Zealand trainer also set to unveil exciting three-year-old Orion in the Group 3 H.D.F McNeil Stakes (1200m).

A most impressive winner coming from last to win over 1200 metres on debut in New Zealand in March, the son of O’Reilly holds a nomination for the BECK Caulfield Guineas with Baker saying he was also considering a nomination for the AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).

“He’s nominated for the Caulfield Guineas but one; he has got to be good enough and two; he’s got to build up enough money to get into the race,” he said.

“His grand-dam’s an Oaks winner, I would’ve thought he’s a miler but he’s a little bit like ‘Dundeel, he’s a very relaxed horse and hard to get a line on.”

Acceptances for Saturday’s Caulfield meeting, including both the Memsie and McNeil Stakes, close at 10am Wednesday.

Click here to view the list of weights and nominations for the Memsie Stakes or the rest of Saturday’s Caulfield program

Click here to view the full TAB BECK Caulfield Guineas market

Click here to view the full TAB Sportingbet Cox Plate market