Can Dunkel deliver the goods in 2024?

With 8 wins from 11 career starts, Dunkel has enjoyed a prolific career and punters and online betting sites were fascinated to see how it would fare in 2024. 
 
The Very Elleegant Stakes was the big return race for Dunkel, who delivered a superb run and looks to be ready to challenge the best this season.  

Trying to predict how a certain horse will far over the course of a season is always a key question for punters and Aussie bookmakers and 4-year-old Dunkel is a horse that is often under the spotlight. 
 
Trained by the prolific Paddy Payne, Dunkel has now won 8 of 11 career starts and is trending in the right direction towards some of the biggest races on the Australian calendar in 2024. 
 
Dunkel gets it done 

Having not really set the world alight in a couple of trial runs at the start of 2024, there were a few lingering question marks surrounding Dunkel’s form amongst punters and online betting sites heading into this weekend at Caulfield. 
 
With the 2000m trip deemed to be a perfect tester, Dunkel enjoyed a strong early pace before managing to open up a lead from the chasing pack. 
 
Whilst the run itself may not have been a classic, holding off the likes of Mankayan and Gear Up without breaking too much of a sweat, is a very positive sign for Dunkel moving through 2024. 
 
Paddy Payne purring 

In a busy parade ring after the race, Dunkel’s trainer Paddy Payne was visibly ecstatic with the performance he had seen from his horse, and he is now year the season ahead. 
 
Payne has always been uncharacteristically cautious in his approach with Dunkel, as he has looked to nurture the unquestionable talent and with another big race win in the bag, it does look to have limitless potential. 
 
Melbourne Cup on the horizon? 

Any horse of the calibre of Dunkel is going to receive as much attention for its race entries, as it will for its race wins and punters and Australian horse racing betting apps have their eyes peeled as to Dunkel’s next move.  
 
Paddy Payne has always wanted Dunkel to embrace the longer contests and both the Pakenham Cup, and the Roy Higgins Quality Stakes are being mooted as potential races in the offing for Dunkel. 
 
The Melbourne Cup at Flemington in November has also been suggested and if Dunkel can continue this form, who knows if it can be in the mix in the biggest race of the year in 2024.

It has been a hugely impressive couple of seasons for Kiwi flyer Dunkel, who caught the eye with punters and online betting sites again this weekend with a solid win at Caulfield. 
With a packed 2024 ahead, connections are eagerly watching on, with the Melbourne Cup potentially being targeted later in the year.