New Zealand-bred three-year-old Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) is making a habit of giving his supporters heart palpitations and once again he came from an impossible position when landing the Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m) on Friday.
The Patrick Payne-trained galloper was sent out the $1.14 favourite and care of a needle-threading ride by Harry Coffey narrowly prevailed after being flat-footed in a trot and canter affair.
Dunkel defeated another two Victorian gallopers, the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Abrupt (Capitalist) and Charlotte Littlefield’s Cable Dancer (Cable Bay).
A long-neck winner of the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) prior to Friday’s victory, 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.
“We were very nervous in the run, but he has given us a few frights along the way,” Stable Representative Annie 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 South Australian Derby has been mentioned, but that’s a fair way off.”
A work in progress, Dunkel has benefited from racing and has a similar profile to 2021 Tasmanian Derby winner Explosive Jack (NZ) (Jakkalberry), who bounced out of the race to win both the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Gr.1 South Australian Derby (2500m).
Dunkel was bred by Sir Peter Vela’s Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd and the son of Dundeel 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 for family friend Payne.