Karaka Graduate - Dundeel 3YO Wins Again at Flemington

Media Release - Saturday January 14

All eyes were on Dunkel in the Stud and Stable Staff Awards Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday, and the hottest favourite of the day duly delivered – but not without giving his supporters some nervous moments along the way.

The New Zealand-bred son of Dundeel had made a big impression with two smart wins and a second from the first three starts of his career, and he carried $1.90 favouritism into Saturday’s Benchmark 70 test.

Dunkel makes it look easy as he strides to victory at Flemington Photo Credit: Darryl Sherer

Dunkel was slow to leave the starting gates and settled near the back of the field for most of the race, then found himself blocked in traffic early in the Flemington straight.

By the time Harry Coffey found a way into clear air, Dunkel still had half a dozen lengths to make up and was rapidly running out of time to do it. But the Patrick Payne-trained three-year-old lengthened stride stylishly in the final 200m and ran down the front-running Soul Choice, sailing past to score by half a length.

“Even with his big weight (61kg), I knew he had a better turn of foot than most in the race, and if a slight gap came in the straight, I’d be able to take it,” Coffey said. “That’s what happened in the end.

“He got a little bump on the way through and lost a bit of momentum, but I didn’t fully put him under pressure. I just let him regain his confidence and stride, and he got the job done.

“It would have looked like a tough watch, but he was pretty soft in the last 50m.

“He’s a lovely horse – we’ve just got to get him doing things right. He’s obviously got very nice ability, and he’s a stayer that’s on the rise. But he’s just doing a few little things that make him hard to watch.

Advertisement

“Today was no different to his win at Sandown last start. He missed the start, was a tad disinterested, and then at about the 600m he gains a bit of motivation.

“He’s a horse that’s going the right way, and when he does work out what’s happening, he’s going to be even better.

“It’s amazing how well he pulled up. He’s very clean-winded. Paddy (Payne) and his team have done a great job.”

Dunkel was bred by Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and is out of the Cape Cross mare Kudamm. A four-time winner and a Listed placegetter in the South Island Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m), Kudamm is the dam of five winners from five foals to race.

Dunkel was a $40,000 purchase from Book 1 of Karaka 2021 as a yearling, then returned to the sale ring later that year for the Ready to Run Sale, where Kevin Myers secured him for $100,000.

Dunkel’s four-start career has now produced three wins, a second and A$229,500 in stakes. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - The Stud & Stable Awards-Bm70 2000m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:04.11
1
Dunkel
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Kudamm (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: H Coffey 61
2
0.5
Soul Choice
- 3f Redoute's Choice (AUS) x Thislilsoulofmine (CAN) (Perfect Soul (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Jordan Childs 54.5
3
1.8
Midnight Glow
- 3g Sebring (AUS) x Midnight Fantasy (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: J P Salanitri Rdr: Dean Holland 55.5
4
3.5
Hard To Cross
- 3g All Too Hard (AUS) x Egyptian Cross (AUS) (Commands (AUS))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: Laura Lafferty 56
5
3.6
Barefoot Tora
- 3f Magnus (AUS) x Medician Star (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: Carleen Hefel 52
6
5.3
Kokonotsu
- 3c Maurice (JPN) x Prima Klaire (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Ms W Kelly Rdr: Damien Thornton 54
7
6.6
Toscana Rising
- 3f Real Impact (JPN) x Tuscany Lady (AUS) (Mossman (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: D Moor 54.5
8
7.3
Bossa Nova Lad
- 3g Inference (AUS) x Road To Rio (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: Gavin Bedggood Rdr: J Noonan 55.5
9
11.8
Speakeasy
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Communicating (AUS) (Congrats (USA))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Alana Kelly 54
10
21.8
Pale Face
- 3g Redwood (GB) x Diva In Red (AUS) (High Yield (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
More Reading...
Zed 9YO Wins G3 Winter Cup
Saturday’s $110,000 Group Three Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton continued an incredible ride for the connections of Chase (NZ) (Zed), who bought him for only $9,000 from Book 3 of Karaka 2018. Originally a $6,000 purchase by JD Corcoran when offered as a weanling from Valachi Downs in the 2017 National Weanling, Broodmare & Mixed Bloodstock Sale.
Pencarrow Stud Graduate Dunkel Salutes at Caulfield
The opening race at Caulfield on Saturday was named in honour of an iconic New Zealand-bred champion, and it was fitting that Dunkel won it with some of the stamina and toughness that top-flight Kiwi stayers are renowned for.
Per Incanto Mare Wins $100,000 Polytrack Championship
Synthetic flyer Cosentino silenced any doubt about running out the seven furlongs with a blistering performance to claim Sunday’s $100,000 Japac Homes Polytrack Championship (1400m) at Awapuni.
Dunkel Pulls It Out of the Fire In Tasmanian Derby
Supporters of Dunkel went straight to the bar after the odds-on favourite threaded the needle in the straight to claim the $150,000 Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart on Friday.
Adelaide Cup Goal for Dunkel
Quality stayer Dunkel lumped 61kgs to an emphatic victory at The Valley on Saturday in the Ladbroke It! Handicap (2040m), as the Patrick Payne-trained galloper notched the seventh victory of his career from just ten starts.
Bred to Win Returns on Monday night
Caroline Searcy’s Bred To Win returns this Monday night profiling new and proven stallions heading into the Spring of 2025 and promoting the thoroughbred breeding industry in Australia and around the world.
Sires With Winners - Sunday August 3
Here is the full list of 57 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Highland Blaze Wins $250,000 Grand National Hurdle
Jumps racing was the highlight at Sandown Lakeside on Sunday with the $250,000 Grand National Hurdle (4200m) the highlight and the $100,000 Crisp Steeplechase (4200m) offering a great start to the day.
Dunkel Gets The Job Done in Launceston Guineas
Favourite backers were in a cold sweat as long odds-on favourite Dunkel needed the length of the straight to run down the lone filly in the race, Soul Choice, in Friday night’s Listed Kevin Sharkie Launceston Guineas (2100m).
Trans Tasman Options for La Crique
Trainers Simon and Katrina Alexander are contemplating options on both sides of the Tasman with their multiple Group One winner La Crique following her pleasing trial at Taupo on Monday.