Dunkel (NZ) Dives Through for Derby Triumph

A daring late dive through a narrow opening carried exciting Karaka graduate Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) to victory in Friday’s A$150,000 Listed Schweppes Tasmanian Derby (2200m) at Hobart.

Bought for $40,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2021 and for $100,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year, Dunkel has now banked A$394,500 from a highly promising six-start career that has produced five wins and a second placing.

Dunkel was the overwhelming favourite for Friday’s Derby on the strength of three consecutive lead-up victories, most recently the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) on January 27.

But little went right for Dunkel and jockey Harry Coffey in the running, dropping back in the field in a slowly run race before being boxed in and left flat-footed when the pace suddenly went on coming up to the home turn.

But Coffey spotted a narrow gap and drove his mount through, and Dunkel showed his class and quickened impressively to score by a neck.

“We were very nervous in the run, but he has given us a few frights along the way,” said Annie de Morton, stable representative for trainer Patrick Payne. “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 (Group One, 2500m) has been mentioned, although that’s a fair way off.”