There are few more spectacular settings in Australian racing than Dunkeld.
Nestled at the southern end of the Grampians, the tiny western Victorian town comes alive each November for a Cup meeting that is as much a celebration of country life as it is a day at the races.
One particularly interesting detail worth adding: Dunkeld has no permanent grandstands or mains power, with almost the entire raceday infrastructure brought in specifically for the meeting. Racing in the town dates back to at least 1856.
With the imposing silhouette of Mount Sturgeon overlooking the track, Dunkeld offers something increasingly rare in modern racing: a genuine once-a-year country meeting where the atmosphere, scenery and community spirit are every bit as important as the action on the turf.
But while the setting might be postcard-perfect, there’s still money to be made.
Mitch Lewis has done the form for this year’s Dunkeld Cup meeting, identifying his best bets and value plays as The Country Collect heads to one of the most unique stops on the Victorian racing calendar.
SA visitor (1) Synchro has had moderate results in runs so far this prep but those have been in some handy races and he should find this slightly easier. He has early speed so could look to go fast early and make a race of it which gives them a strong chance.
(8) Tennessee Song resumes, she has won 1st up previously and with a low barrier and Linda Meech engaged, she looks likely to get a positive run and be in a strong position.
Suggested bet: Iced Poppy – Win
Race 7 – The Dunkeld Cup
Feel (2) Foujita San is the runner bringing the strongest recent form into this race after improving 2nd up at Caulfield to run a close 2nd with a big weight. He is dropping 3kgs for this and jumps from barrier 1 so looks likely to land in a good position in the run and looks ready for the 1800m trip. He needs a dry track to show his best but feel even with a little give he can win in this set up.
(3) New York Hurricane’s recent form hasn’t returned a lot of success but those were much stronger races than what he faces for this today. It looks a race with a messy race map for some so he can be advantaged from that and take a soft run behind the speed and look to strike late.
(7) Stay Humble is going well and his recent form has been strong, he is up slightly to the 1800m trip which suits and drops well down in the weights today. But the query is his race map jumping from the widest barrier as he is a risk of being caught out wide if he cant get across quickly in the race.
(5) Gregolimo hadn’t won for some time before his last start victory at Kyneton, now with some confidence he can perhaps go on with it and looks to be on of the runners in the race with early speed that can get a softer run and take some
Suggested bet: Foujita San – Win
