Photo: Bruno Cannatelli
The Tasmanian riders came so close to witnessing one of the biggest scuffles in recent history only when Dunkel overtook late and knocked down the List Tasmania Derby.
Most loved for the lowest price in a Derby since the North West Road in 2017, Dunkel was supposed to win a sprint, however it didn’t turn out as many expected.
Locked inside, Dunkel was disturbed again and had nowhere to go straight before discovering a late-open pinhole, much to Harry Coffey’s amusement.
“I have to admit I thought we were going to run in the third round unlucky so for him to win we probably got a little bit lucky but when you ride better than the rest of the game. yard, good fortune may come to you. way,” Coffey said.
“There was a really intense run in the last 150m and I was lucky he was good enough to get through it and get the job done.
“A lot of when you ride horses, when they hit tough spots, they don’t have the ability to get out of there, but at this point in his life he did, so I’m lucky enough to ride. he. .
A winner of five of her six starts, stable agent Annie De Morton is happy after the event, although admitting it hasn’t been an easy match.
De Morton said: “We were nervous running but he scared us all the way.
“Once he got that fresh air, he didn’t let us down, we were delighted.
“I think drawing the second fence will never help him but sometimes you just need that little bit of luck and luckily we got it at the right time.”
A long-term plan, De Morton said the Derby was scheduled for October.
“Patrick [Payne] really thought of Tasmania after he got his first win in Moonee Valley, he just crossed it as a possibility and here we are,” De Morton said.
“He just got chipped, put him very carefully and just take care of the horse like he does.”
Having succeeded in delivering Payne’s second success in the Derby, Dunkel’s next move remained undecided, although by this point the stables had plenty of people to thank.
De Morton said: “We’ll see how he goes forward, SA Derby has obviously been mentioned but it’s logical and we’re in no hurry, we’ll get him home first.” De Morton said.
“We’ve had great support, Adam Trinder, he’s been down in Launceston for just a few days, he’s always been helpful.
“Then he moved on to Scott Brunton’s, down on the beach, which was a very similar environment to what he was used to.
“Doug Arnold has been with the horse all this time, we cannot thank him enough.”
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