Leading Victorian jockey Billy Egan will be hoping that Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel) can bounce back to his best on Saturday when he lines up in the Gr.3 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington.
The Patrick Payne-trained four-year-old has won two of his past three starts this preparation but finished a disappointing sixth in the Listed Pakenham Cup at his most recent outing.
“It was very unusual for him, he pulled up a bit battered and bruised,” Egan said.
“I think he’s come through that run; Paddy wouldn’t run him unless he was confident in the horse. It was quite unusual for him but I’m sure that if he brings his A game, that distance will suit him because he is a good stayer.”
Despite the defeat, Egan hasn’t lost his belief in the ability of Dunkel, a horse who he guided to Group One success in the South Australian Derby last year.
“He’s shown he’s definitely got good ability and he’s matured a lot since his three-year-old year,” he said.
“Paddy did a really good thing by giving him a spell after his hard three-year-old season.”
Saturday’s A$500,000 event also gives the winner a golden ticket into the field for this year’s Melbourne Cup, a race that Dunkel is rated as a $34 chance by Sportsbet.
“It would make the owners very happy, I think they’d be very keen to see him there but either way, if he doesn’t win on Saturday, I think he’s got a good-enough rating and he might be able to win a race over the spring and earn his spot as well,” Egan said.
Dunkel is at $6 in Sportsbet’s market for the Roy Higgins on Saturday.
