3 minute read

Dundeel colt breaks maiden at Flemington.

The Danny O'Brien-trained Cetshwayo (3 g Dundeel - Haraka by Foreplay) emerged as a legitimate VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) contenter when he broke his maiden in the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) at Flemington on Wednesday. 

Last seen running eighth on debut at Geelong, the three-year-old gelding hit the line strongly to beat Tour Of Duty (Hinchinbrook) by a neck with another three-quarters of a length back to Choir (Teofilo) in third. 

"He went well at Geelong with no luck although didn't know how to close off the race, but has been in work with us for four or five months and is a nicely bred stayer," said Danny O'Brien.

"Trevor Delroy has bred some of the best staying horses in Australia and we're very happy to be getting some of his young horses.

"I would love to think this horse will hold together and be here on Derby Day."

The gelding is the second winner out of the unraced Foreplay (Danehill) mare Haraka and hails from the family of Listed winner City Fortress (Troy). 

City Fortress herself is the dam of dual Grade 1 winner Fastness (Rousillon) and multiple stakes winner Desert Boy (Green Desert). 

In 2018 Haraka produced a colt by Teofilo (Galileo) - now named Benghazi before foaling a colt by Sun Stud-based sire Fiorente (Monsun). 

Dundeel is standing at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST).