Dunkel scores again

Winning machine Dunkel demonstrated he is on target for his autumn goals with a comfortable victory in the Vale Verry Elleegant (2000m).

The win took his strike-rate to 72 per cent as it was his eighth win from his 11th start.

His jockey Billy Egan said the race which was run at a slow speed worked out well for him when he landed outside the leader in the early stages.

“It’s a bit tricky when you get back but it worked out in his favour,” Egan said.

Egan has ridden Dunkel at his past four starts for three wins and a second.

The jockey said he felt Dunkel wasn’t as dominant as he had been when he won at The Valley at his last start on December 30, but said the star galloper would peak at his next start and was looking for further.

Stable representative for Patrick Payne, Neil Grieve also said Dunkel would be improved by the run.

Payne has planned for Dunkel to run in the Pakenham Cup on March 15 and then The Roy Higgins at Flemington, which carries a golden ticket for the winner into the Melbourne Cup.

Dunkel ($3.30) defeated Mankayan ($6.50) by three quarters of a length with Gear Up ($26) a half length away third.   

WATCH: Dunkel’s win at Caulfield