Racing: It's A Dundeel battles lameness

Photo / Thinkstock

Cambridge-trained star It's A Dundeel has been battling lameness in the lead-up to the A$1.5 million BMW, Racing NSW stewards have revealed.

One of the drawcards of the Sydney autumn carnival, It's A Dundeel was inspected by a Racing NSW vet yesterday and will continue to be monitored before Saturday's weight-for-age race at Rosehill.

Stewards said It's A Dundeel was lame on Monday but galloped strongly for James McDonald at Warwick Farm on Tuesday.

Nevertheless, It's A Dundeel was trotted up in front of Racing NSW vet Craig Suann before he told stewards the entire was free in his action.

It's A Dundeel has been fitted with heart bar plates since his placing in the Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 22 - a move that trainer Murray Baker's vet says caused the entire to suffer "mild lameness".

It is expected It's A Dundeel will be fitted with standard racing shoes for the BMW.

But his final piece of work before the group one feature will be done in front of stewards today before another vet inspection 24 hours later.

"Dr Suann inspected It's A Dundeel at its Warwick Farm stable today and reported he could detect no abnormalities and It's A Dundeel appeared sound at the trot," stewards said in a statement yesterday.

It's A Dundeel's Cox Plate campaign in the spring was interrupted because of feet issues after his Underwood Stakes win.

He went into the Cox Plate on a limited preparation before finishing worse than midfield.

It's A Dundeel is winless in two autumn starts, finishing second to Boban in the Chipping Norton Stakes and third to Silent Achiever in the Ranvet Stakes. Bookmakers have him a $3.80 second pick behind Fiorente ($2.90) in BMW betting.AAP

Fields for the Rosehill features are:

R6 5.40 The BMW, A$1,526,200, 2400m.- Fiorente (1), Green Moon (7), Foreteller (9), Mourayan (10), Sertorius (6), Brigantin (5), Angola (3) 59; It's a Dundeel (8) 58.5; Silent Achiever (4), Voleuse de Coeurs (2) 57; Let's Make Adeal (11) 56.5.

R7 6.20: Vinery Stud Stakes, A$405,000, 2000m.- Solicit (7), Zanbagh (19), Marianne (4), Rising Romance (9), Miss Mossman (3), Suavito (17), Define (10), All Cerise (2), Interspersed (8), Sensibility (1), Artistic Lass (12), Forever Loved (15), Lucia Valentina (11), Casino Dancer (6), Amanpour (5), All My Loving (14), Missvonn (18), Cuban Star (13), Blue Eyes (16) 56. Emgs: Missvonn, Cuban Star, Blue Eyes.

R8 7.00: Tooheys New Golden Slipper, A$3,529,500, 1200m.- Unencumbered (14), Jabali (1), Ghibellines (2), Valentia (4), Cornrow (8), Law (7), Modoc (3), Risen From Doubt (6) 56.5; Earthquake (13), Mossfun (11), Oakleigh Girl (10), Eloping (15), Alpha Miss (9), Bring Me The Maid (5), Memorial (17), Believe Yourself (16) 54.5; Scratch Me Lucky (12) 56.5. Emg: Scratch Me Lucky.