Dunn excited ahead of All Too Hard return

Wednesday 6 February 2013, 4:03pm

Dwayne Dunn goes into the first Group One race of the year knowing he's on a colt capable of taking him on the ride of a lifetime.

Caulfield Guineas winner All Too Hard returns in Saturday's C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, a race that will kick-start the autumn campaign for Black Caviar's half-brother and likely lead to an overseas mission later in the year.

The chance to renew his association with All Too Hard is one Dunn doesn't want to miss.

"I don't think I'll get another opportunity to ride a horse with so much upside and potential that could realistically take on the world if all goes well," Dunn said.

"He can go and do what So You Think did.

"Obviously he lives in the shadow of his sister (Black Caviar), but taking that out of the equation I think he's put his hand up and deserves every bit of credit he gets for what he's done.

"He's handled the pressure really well so far and I don't think there will be too many horses with an opportunity to travel overseas with the credentials he's got."

Dunn has been aboard All Too Hard in seven of his nine starts, only relinquishing the ride in the Cox Plate and George Main Stakes because he couldn't make the colt's light weight.

All Too Hard will be making his first appearance for new owners Vinery Stud on Saturday after they acquired him from beleaguered former billionaire Nathan Tinkler in December.

Vinery's general manager Peter Orton confirmed they had earmarked the Group One Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) at Ascot as a suitable overseas target.

The Orr Stakes attracted a field of nine when acceptances were taken on Wednesday with All Too Hard drawing the outside gate.

His rivals include 10-time Group One-winning New Zealander King Mufhasa, the unbeaten Callanish, Darley's Pinwheel, import Mawingo and Group One-winning Perth galloper Mr Moet.

Dunn says the barrier is "a little bit ordinary" but he has faith in the colt's quality.

"First-up over 1400 metres, obviously you don't want to be doing too much work," he said.

"It would have been nice to draw barrier four or five and just land straight into a spot. He doesn't have to get back to last. We'll just have to play it by how he begins."

"If he's not going to get competitive against these he's going to find the whole campaign difficult.

"But he has shown us that he's back bigger and better than ever."

All Too Hard was installed the $2.50 favourite ahead of King Mufhasa ($4) and Pinwheel ($5.50).

– AAP

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