Dunkel chases 2024 Melbourne Cup start in the Roy Higgins Quality
Trainer Patrick Payne is a realist when it comes to his horses and says it is time for Dunkel to take the step up to the big league.
A dual Derby winner as a three-year-old, Payne has chosen the stayer's races wisely, to the point when the gelding is an eight-time winner from 12 starts with two runner-up finishes thrown in for good measure.
A Melbourne Cup 2024 start is on offer on Saturday when Dunkel runs in the Listed The Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington.
The Roy Higgins is one of four staying races run at Flemington that offers a 'win and you're in' into the Melbourne Cup in November.
Dunkel has been unplaced just twice in his career, the most recent being when sixth in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) on March 15.
Using a sports analogy, Payne said that race was like Dunkel stepping up from the juniors to playing in the seniors.
"The pressure was on in that race," Payne told RSN.
"He's been pretty much protected through his career running in all the easiest possible races and maybe he's been 'babied' a bit.
"It was a tough run race, and hopefully that will hold him in good stead for the future."
Payne said Dunkel had come through that contest well and hopefully it will toughen him up for what lies ahead.
He said the biggest thing with Dunkel was being able to maintain a constant gallop, for longer.
"He's got quite good stamina but he's actually a slow horse, he can't sprint," Payne said.
"He will stay all day, if he can get comfortable.
"If he's too close to his top for too long, he can't maintain a gallop, but I think if he gets comfortable on the weekend there will be no problem."
Dunkel needs to make up six lengths on Glentaneous who finished second in the Pakenham Cup, but Payne pointed out that his stayer had beaten that gelding home at his previous appearance.
"Glentaneous is a nice horse and will be suited by the 2600 metres at Flemington, but from our point of view there is nothing wrong with Dunkel going into this race," Payne said.
Dunkel is a $6.00 chance with Aussie betting apps in the race.
More Racing News
Thrilling Scone Cup success for in-form Hellsing
Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Hellsing has entered excellent shape and notched his finest victory yet in the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) held at Scone on Friday.On his 10th run in a preparation exceeding six months, Hellsing is thriving more than ever, building on a Royal Randwick...
Trainer Moloney sees ongoing enhancement in Hearcomesthestar
Improvement has marked every preparation, and John Moloney, the trainer, expects additional development from Hearcomesthestar in her upcoming appearance at Flemington.From 28 races, Hearcomesthestar has notched six wins and eight places, but Stakes grade has proven challenging for her.The approaching six-year-old earned a Listed placing at Geelong earlier this year,...
Searle family from SA chasing Melbourne Cup dream with Sir Kingsford
Gary and Nichole Searle, together with their daughter Brianna Callanan, form a South Australian training outfit with ambitions for Sir Kingsford in the Melbourne Cup.A victory in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) at Flemington earns the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption ahead of the big November event.Nichole Searle sampled...
Scone's Luskin Star Stakes sees Estadio Mestalla with tough weight
Trainer Joe Pride questions the two-kilo advantage given to a Group 1 winner over Estadio Mestalla in the Luskin Star Stakes, but trusts the steady gelding to deliver full commitment.At seven years old, he notched his top triumph in the prior year's Listed Winter Stakes (1100m) and must shoulder 61kg...
Barrier 18 no hindrance to Sequista's Scone return
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou believe filly Sequista has the class for black-type success despite her tendency to undermine herself.Having notched stakes placings in the 2024 Inglis Nursery (1000m) and run near the placings in Tempted's Percy Sykes Stakes (1200m), the three-year-old targets another milestone in Saturday's Listed Denise's...
Flemington awaits Concord Connie's next bold move
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield hopes her talented filly Concord Connie can replicate her recent feat before entertaining grander aspirations.In her third race appearance at Flemington on Anzac Day, Concord Connie notched a breathtaking win by six lengths in sharp time.This Saturday, the filly heads back to Flemington to compete against the...
Dark Jewel Classic in sights for Harlem Queen
While Harlem Queen didn't sustain her early promise from age three, trainer Nathan Doyle feels confident after her trouble-free lead-up that she might restore reliable results.She returns Saturday in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) held at Scone, where despite preferring stamina tests ahead, barrier five positions her well for Doyle's...
Flemington run to decide Different Gravy's Queensland Derby chances
At Flemington, Different Gravy will put his Queensland Derby dreams to the test in upcoming action.Following a Listed triumph over 1800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, trainer Henry Dwyer fixed his focus on the northern Derby.The Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm scheduled for May...
Abounding's scratch lets Napoleonic into Doomben 10,000 lineup
Confirmation has arrived that Napoleonic will join the Doomben 10,000 field, following Abounding's removal which opened the door for the colt in the elite Group 1 dash.Team members experienced a stressful seven days after the three-year-old earned second emergency status for the $1.5 million event, as reserve Beadman claimed a...
Snowden's stable loaded with top sprinters for feature clashes
Boasting a stable full of high-caliber sprinters primed for black-type action, trainer Peter Snowden enjoys the luxury of picking and choosing among several prestigious races.Just a couple of weeks earlier, Zealously claimed victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m), followed by King Of Roseau and Beadman grabbing interstate stakes wins...