DUBALI refused to lie down when the eight-year-old gelding fought off all challengers to win Saturday's $12,000 Royal Hotel Iris Rennie Memorial Manilla Cup (1600m) with a bold front-running effort.
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The Cameron Crockett-trained son of Dubleo led all the way to win the feature race by a half head from Stirling Osland's New Endeavour.
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Peter Sinclair's gelding and race favourite, Track Flash, was a length and a quarter away in third place.
Ben Looker rode Dubali and was delighted with his gelding's effort.
"It was a great win," Looker said.
"It was also my first ride for Cameron too."
He has a little bit of ability but he's honest. That's why he wins he just tries so hard.
- Cameron Crockett
Looker said the more he "reined Dubali up, the more he kept running for me and the more he kept kicking.
"Once he got into his rhythm, he just came back underneath me."
Crockett has only had Dubali in the latter stages of his 63-start career.
"Had him a couple of years," Crockett said.
"Ten or 11 starts for me and he's won three."
He said "honesty" is Dubali's trademark.
"He has a little bit of ability but he's honest," the trainer said.
"That's why he wins: he just tries so hard."
Crockett might now head him to the Coonamble Cup.
