Dunkel Triumphs in South Australia Derby

Mark Smith - Saturday May 13

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.

A career highlight for Billy Egan (image Atkins Photography/Racing.com)

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. 

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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.

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Race Result - Thomas Farms South Aust. Derby Gr1 2500m

Morphettville Track: Good(4) Time: 2:40.43
1
Dunkel
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Kudamm (AUS) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Tnr: Patrick Payne Rdr: W Egan 56.5
2
0.8
Promises Kept
- 3g Cluster (AUS) x More Than Promised (USA) (More Than Ready (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
3
2.3
Aberfeldie Boy
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Absolute Joy (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: R Griffiths & M De Kock Rdr: C Newitt 56.5
So You Think
4
2.4
Loco
- 3g So You Think (NZ) x Suite Lioness (AUS) (Lion Heart (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: D Oliver 56.5
5
2.6
Bengal Boy
- 3g Dundeel (NZ) x Bengal Angel (AUS) (Nadeem (AUS))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Declan Bates 56.5
6
4.0
Red Sun Sensation
- 3g Awesome Rock (AUS) x Society Gal (NZ) (Faltaat (USA))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: B Higgins 56.5
7
5.8
High Approach
- 3g Highland Reel (IRE) x Encapsulate (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: Dan O'Sullivan Rdr: John Allen 56.5
8
6.1
Reservoir Dog
- 3g Choisir (AUS) x Lady Zabeel (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Jake Toeroek 56.5
9
6.2
Northern Barrage
- 3g Churchill (IRE) x North Sea (AUS) (Hussonet (USA))
Tnr: M C Kent Rdr: J Holder 56.5
10
6.5
She's Fit
- 3f Pride Of Dubai (AUS) x Harpoon (AUS) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: D L Morton Rdr: Chris Parnham 54.5
11
7.2
Suizuro
- 3g Real Impact (JPN) x Sussuro (AUS) (Pivotal (GB))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: O P Bosson 56.5
12
8.9
Captain Pluto
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Miss Bernardini (AUS) (Bernardini (USA))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: D Moor 56.5
13
9.3
Prince Tikea
- 3g Sir Prancealot (IRE) x Bless Me Katie (AUS) (Good Journey (USA))
Tnr: Travis Doudle Rdr: D Tourneur 56.5
14
9.8
Gottabesavvy
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Girls On Top (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: T Busuttin & N Young Rdr: Todd Pannell 56.5
15
11.8
Dunwoody
- 3g Preferment (NZ) x Queen Ouija (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Jarrod Fry 56.5
16
33.4
Ain'T He Grand
- 3c Sebring (AUS) x Senta Helga (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: Ben Allen 56.5
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