The New Zealand horse It's A Dundeel has been handed a golden opportunity to establish himself as Australasia's champion racehorse by winning Saturday's 3.4 million dollar Cox Plate in Melbourne.
It's A Dundeel inherited favouritism following the scratching of Atlantic Jewel soon after acceptances closed yesterday.
It's A Dundeel is the only horse to have defeated Atlantic Jewel, beating her in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield a month ago and had shaped as the clear danger to her in Saturday's race.
After a slight setback two weeks ago, trainer Murray Baker says the horse has made a complete recovery from the foot abscess that kept him out of the Caulfield Stakes.
The confidence of trainer Murray Baker suggests he will take out the weight-for-age classic.
Baker says he's tightened up a bit, he looks healthy and they're pretty happy with him.