The now-retired Dundeel continues to make an impression on his former trainer’s Cambridge operation.

The Arrowfield Stud-based stallion was a six-time Group One winner for Murray Baker who, in partnership with Andrew Forsman, recently saddled the son of High Chaparrals’ first winner when Cutadeel was successful at his Tauranga debut.

Another Dundeel connection served the stable well at Pukekohe on Friday when the debutante Valalie won at the first time of asking in the Haunui Farm 1200m. She is by Snitzel out of Vaayala, a half-sister to Baker’s former New Zealand Horse of the Year.

“She’s always showed us a lot and the only query we had was her coming off just the one trial in which she did a fair bit wrong,” Forsman said. “She got back then and was a bit lost before making up ground. 

“She’s a lovely filly and she’s got plenty of class about her. She’s got it all ahead of her.”

Valalie settled in the trail under rider Samantha Collett and once into the clear in the straight they shot away to beat the pacemaker Gallagher by a length and a-half with Magic Condor back in third spot.

“We drew one and she hopped away a bit slowly, but she’s got a lot of natural speed,” Collett said.
“She really accelerated quickly and got the job done very well. There’s a lot more to come from her.”