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A look at the support races at Flemington.

Dunkel easy in the end 

Jockey Harry Coffey says there are better wins in store for Dunkel after the three-year-old made it three wins from four starts in taking out The Stud and Stable Staff Awards (2000m). 

But first Coffey said Dunkel needs to improve his racing manners. 

Dunkel had to show grit to win on Saturday, bursting through a gap when looking in trouble, before recording a 'soft win' according to Coffey. 

"He's got really nice ability, a stayer that is on the rise, but he's doing little things that makes it hard to watch," Coffey said. 

"Every time I've ridden him, I've thought we were going close to ironing them out. 

"Today was different to his win at Sandown. He missed the start, was a tad disinterested, but then around the 600 (metres) he gained a bit of motivation and got the job done." 

Blinkers do the trick with Princess Rhaenys 

Trainer Peter Moody has always held Princess Rhaenys in high esteem and the now five-year-old mare may be about to deliver on that potential after her win in the Be A Mate, Nominate Trophy (2000m). 

Moody threw Princess Rhaenys into the deepend at her third race start when she finished fourth in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) as a three-year-old. 

After a year on the sidelines, Princess Rhaenys scored at Sandown in her second preparation while Saturday's win was her first start since. 

Katherine Coleman, Moody's assistant trainer, said the addition of blinkers had helped the mare turn around a disappointing effort at Sandown on Boxing Day. 

"We were disappointed with her last start in the run to line after not showing her usual turn of foot, which is unlike her," Coleman said. 

"The aim with these types of mares is to build their profile and hopefully get a bit of 'black type'. 

"We'll have to see where we have to go to get that, whether there's something over in Tassie or a distance race here may be an option for her." 

Consistency pays off for Belle Et Riche 

Ballarat trainer Mitchell Freedman finally had luck on his side when Belle Et Riche took out the Brew Living Legends Plate (1400m). 

Belle Et Riche had collected a cheque in each of her eight appearances prior to Saturday's race, but had only crossed the line in first place on two occasions. 

That all changed after Jordan Childs had the filly well-positioned in the run, giving Freedman confidence a long way from home. 

"You could see from around the 1000-metre mark that we were going to have luck on our side which is unusual for her," Freedman said. 

"She's had nine starts now and hasn't finished out of the top three and she could have quite easily won another three or four of those races." 

Freedman indicated he may give the filly a freshen as the filly is still maturing, but he is keen to try Belle Et Riche in a stakes race during the autumn. 

"Whether that is in Victoria or down in Tassie, we'll make that decision over the next week," he said. 

Flemington first for McGrath 

Cranbourne trainer Brian Mcgrath registered his first Saturday city winner when D'Jumbuck took out the Resimax Group Rapid Racing, Friday 20 January (1200m). 

McGrath has been training since 2015 and had his first winner the following year when Larrikin scored at Geelong in the colours carried by D'Jumbuck. 

Those colours are of his father Jim McGrath, the former UK-based race caller who bred D'Jumbuck and the sprinter's dam Carousing. 

To complete the victory, members of the extended McGrath family share in the ownership of the gelding. 

"It's a big thrill to get a winner here at 'headquarters'. It's massive," McGrath said. 

"It's a real thrill and I'm really thrilled for the owners, especially my uncle Joe McGrath who goes around Australia with the (Melbourne) Cup. 

"He's in there with his syndicate, my dad and other members of the family also are involved along with other friends Neville Gibson, Chris Deighton and John Curtain." 

D'Jumbuck is the best horse to go through the McGrath stable, landing his fourth win from 23 starts, and McGrath indicated he may be back at Flemington in a months' time for another shot at a 1200m race on the straight course. 

Quote of the day 

"It would have looked a tough watch, but he was even soft in the last 50 metres. He's a lovely horse, we've just got to get him doing things right" - jockey Harry Coffey after scoring aboard Dunkel in The Stud and Stable Staff Awards.