Dunkel Carries Topweight to Strong Caulfield Win
26 Feb 2024
The opening race at Caulfield on Saturday was named in honour of an iconic New Zealand-bred champion, and it was fitting that Dunkel won it with some of the stamina and toughness that top-flight Kiwi stayers are renowned for.
The A$150,000 Vale Verry Elleegant (2000m) was given its name after the 11-time Group One winner sadly died due to foaling complications earlier in the week.
His achievements and his rating of 105 towered over his seven rivals in Saturday’s handicap field, and as a result he had to carry a hefty 61.5kg.
The Patrick Payne-trained Dunkel has now had 11 starts for eight wins, two seconds and A$852,625 in stakes.