Dunkel claims victory at Moonee Valley
Dunkel was able to show his talents under the ride of jockey Billy Egan at Moonee Valley on Saturday as he was able to claim a benchmark 100 grade race when carrying 61kgs over the Cox Plate distance of 2040m.
The winner was able to claim victory through an expertly timed inside run where he was able to follow the rails around and pull away from the field in the final stages.
"It was a really good win," Egan said.
"The race worked out quite nicely, I didn't want to give them too much of a start with the weight."
Egan settled Dunkel behind the speed in the small field and only needed luck at the right time.
"It was just a matter of getting the run at the top of the straight," Egan said.
"I could see Mick Dee (on Independent Road) looking for me, I could see Harry (Coffey on Grand Promenade) correct his mount as much as he could to get around the corner.
"Unfortunately his horse (Grand Promenade) lugged out that little bit and I was the beneficiary."
Egan confirmed trainer Patrick Payne’s assessment of the horse that he had trained on since his last run where the South Australian Derby winner had carried 60kg when fresh against an older field.
Dunkel's will be spaced in the New Year with the ultimate goal being the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March.
"I certainly think an Adelaide Cup would be right up his alley," Egan said.
"He's certainly taken really good fitness, the other day (Caulfield) when I put him into the race he peaked on his run, not long after entering the straight and he just maintained that gallop to the line.
"Today, even though he had that cruisy run behind them he sprinted quite well and he was very good through the line, he was getting away from them."