Shock defeat for Aussie Jewel in Underwood Stakes
Australian star Atlantic Jewel lost her unbeaten record as she went down to It's A Dundeel in the Underwood Stakes.
Last Updated: 21/09/13 12:02pm
The Mark Kavanagh-trained runner arrived with a 100% record in her nine previous races and Michael Rodd set the early pace in the nine-furlong event on the star mare.
However, Murray Baker's It's A Dundeel tracked Atlantic Jewel throughout and when given the signal by jockey James McDonald, he outsprinted his rival to edge it on the line.
Baker said: "We realised that we couldn't give her a big start and I thought it was a brilliant ride from James, there was no pace in the race so he went forward and took it to her.
"He's a very talented horse. He showed today that he can run on the pace, last autumn in Sydney he was coming from off the pace and still running time and good sectionals," he told www.springcarnival.com.au.
Kavanagh was magnanimous in defeat and hailed the quality of the winner.
"Anyone who sooks after running second in a Group One is an idiot - it's a privilege just to have a runner in one," he said.
"The mare is fine which is the important thing.
"The winner is a champion in his own right and he deserved the win."