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.
Ridden by Harry Coffey for Patrick Payne, Dunkel was enjoying the run of the race in third place on the fence as Happy Clan led them up at a pedestrian pace.
When the speed came on, Dunkel was caught flatfooted between runners. The son of Dundeel found a narrow seam to defeat the Capitalist gelding Abrupt by a neck with the Cable Bay (IRE) gelding Cable Dancer a long-head back in third.
It was the fifth consecutive win for Dunkel, advancing his record to five wins and a second from six starts with earnings of $394,500.
Stable representative Annie de Morton said.
We were very nervous in the run, but he has given us a few frights along the way,” de Morton said.
“He has never let us down, and it was a thrill.
“Drawing barrier two was never going to help him, but sometimes you need a bit of luck, and he got it at the right time.
“The Tasmanian Derby has been on the radar since he won at Moonee Valley (last October).
“We will see how he pulls up, but the SA Derby has been mentioned, but that’s a fair way off.”
Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, Dunkel was a $40,000 Karaka yearling purchase for Steven Ramsay and made $100,000 when offered by Ohukia Lodge at the 2021 NZB Ready To Run Sale.
He is the best of five winners from as many to race from the stakes-placed Cape Cross (IRE) mare Kudamm who missed to Ocean Park in 2020 and Epaulette in 2021.
