After conquering Tasmania, the three-year-old Dundeel gelding Dunkel returned to the mainland for a career highlight in Saturday’s Group 1 Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville.
Given a ground-saving ride by Billy Egan, the Patrick Payne-trained gelding ran down the courageous frontrunning Cluster gelding Promises Kept by three-quarters of a length with the So You Think gelding Aberfeldie Boy one and a half-length back in third.
Dunkel advances his record to six wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $670,875.
It was the first Group 1 success for both trainer and jockey.
“I was about fifth early, one off (the fence), then got shuffled back, and we had to work our way through them, but he has that killer instinct,” Egan revealed.
“The further we got into the straight, the harder my bloke tried, and when he sees a horse in front, he wants to pass it.
“Patrick left me a voice mail saying he left it all up to me.
“Big thanks to Patrick and Benny Vassalo. It was my first Group 1, so it’s all of ours together. We have been a team for a long time and are so happy we can enjoy it.together”
Dunkel ran up four consecutive wins, including the Listed Launceston Guineas and Listed Tasmanian Derby, before pulling up lame when unpaced behind Bank Maur in the Group II Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley on March 18.
Bred by Pencarrow Thoroughbreds, Dunkel was a $40,000 Karaka yearling purchase for Steven Ramsay, then made $100,000 to the bid of Kevin Myers 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.
Dunkel is the seventh Group 1 winner for Arrowfield Stud’s ATC Australian Derby hero Dundeel.
