It’s A Dundeel (NZ) made history in Arrowfield Stud’s famous black and yellow diamond silks in the $4 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

The race matched its billing as the weight-for-age grand final at The Championships.

It’s A Dundeel contributed to the drama when he slipped in the tie-up stalls before the race and lacerated his near hind fetlock and pastern.  Passed fit to start by the stewards, he bounced brightly from an inside barrier and settled beautifully for James McDonald behind Carlton House and My Kingdom Of Fife.

He took over from the resolute Carlton House to score his sixth Group 1 victory by almost a length.  “We’ve worked all the autumn for this,” McDonald said.  “When he worked on Tuesday, I got off and said they don’t work as good as the way he works, he was back to his best and it was so good to win today.”

It’s A Dundeel (4h High Chaparral – Stareel by Zabeel) was bred in New Zealand by Murray & Jo Andersen and is trained by Murray Baker for the partnership headed by Arrowfield, along with the Andersens and a syndicate of his original co-owners.

In all, he has won 10 of his 19 starts for prizemoney of $5.39 million and the Queen Elizabeth triumph makes him a leading contender for the title of Australian Champion Racehorse of the Year.

Arrowfield chairman John Messara purchased a 30% share in the High Chaparral stallion after his Group 1 victory over Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood Stakes in September.

It’s A Dundeel is expected to retire to Arrowfield’s Hunter Valley for the 2014 breeding season.

IT’S A DUNDEEL