It's A Dundeel toys with Rosehill Guineas opposition to remain on course for Triple Crown

THE Triple Crown is still alive for New Zealand-bred star three-year-old It's A Dundeel, who has made it a one-act affair in the Rosehill Guineas.

"HE'S exceptional - that is the best feeling I have ever had on a racehorse!"

Like everyone else, jockey James McDonald was reaching for superlatives after It's A Dundeel's demolition job in the Group 1 $500,000 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens - and with good reason.

It's A Dundeel totally outclassed the Guineas field to score one of the easiest big-race wins on a Sydney racetrack in years.

McDonald even had the time to stand up high in the irons with less than 50m to go then give the Rosehill crowd a big thumbs up as the colt cruised over the line.

"We were in all sorts early, there was a bit of trouble, and the other jockeys were probably riding against me a little bit," McDonald said.

"But then we managed to pop off the fence and get an uninterrupted run from there.

"His ability to sprint is amazing. He had them covered in a couple of strides. We had it won 300m out and I could actually get to enjoy the ride.

"He is definitely the best horse I've ever sat on. It was breathtaking."

It's A Dundeel won like $1.30 favourites should by an ever-widening margin of nearly six lengths.

It's A Dundeel settled near the rear of the field early before McDonald started his finishing run about 600m from home.

He sprinted so quickly around the field, McDonald had to take hold again at the 400m, biding his time for a few strides until pressing the "accelerator".

The rest of the Guineas runners were in a different race with Sacred Falls ($10) working home for second, a long head in front of Tatra ($13)

It's A Dundeel has now claimed the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas at his last two starts and seems to have the coveted Sydney triple crown at his mercy, with the final leg, the $1.5 million ATC Australian Derby (2400m), at Royal Randwick in two weeks.

Since the Derby was switched to autumn in 1979, only Octagonal (1996) has completed the triple crown.

It's A Dundeel has been installed the $1.70 favourite for the Derby with Fiveandahalfstar looming as the only horse capable of preventing a clean sweep.

"I'm wary of Fiveandahalfstar, he's a very good three-year-old," trainer Murray Baker said.

"But everything is going to plan with our colt. His target has been the Derby and we just have to keep him ticking over now for the next two weeks."

Baker won the 2008 AJC Australian Derby with Nom Du Jeu and the 2010 Victoria Derby with Lion Tamer, and he has trained many other outstanding stayers including The Phantom, My Eagle Eye and Prized Gem. He rates It's A Dundeel up there with the best he has trained.

"It's A Dundeel is still improving that is the incredible thing," Baker said. "That is probably the Zabeel coming out a bit. I've trained a few out of this family and they take a bit to get going."

It's A Dundeel has now won three Group 1 races this season - he also took out the Spring Champion Stakes and if he can take out the Derby then he will become a serious contender for Horse of the Year honours.