Payne keeps Dunkel sights low

[Wandering Eyes]

Patrick Payne is planning a low-key spring with his maiden Group One winner Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) who will not chase the major Cups this year.

Dunkel won three of his first four starts in Victoria after making his debut in October, then he progressed to Tasmania, where he won the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) and Listed Tasmanian Derby (2200m), before a rare failure in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at The Valley.

Payne chose the SA Derby over the ATC Derby in Sydney for Dunkel’s next run and he chose well, with the son of Dundeel storming home for a famous win at Morphettville for his trainer and rider Billy Egan.

Payne said he is likely to give Dunkel a chance at an elite race as a late four-year-old, with a view to potentially chasing the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups in 2024.

“He’s quite a big horse and I think he’ll still furnish,” Payne said.

Payne said on Monday the Tasmanian and South Australian Derby winner is not yet back into work as he was feels he needs to ‘refuel’ after his heroics of earlier this season when he won in three different states.

“He’s had a pretty quiet time as he was pretty busy as a three-year-old,” Payne said.

“When they win one of those features, they can get hammered in the handicaps, so I just want him to refuel a little bit and we’re not going to aim for anything too big in the spring.

“For the greater good, he’s gone through a busy period as a three-year-old and gone up in the ratings, so I think he needs some help and that’ll give him his chance down the track.”

View the full article