Monday, 21 May 2012: Lightly raced galloper Star Of Dubai looks set to continue his good form in today's Tamworth City Toyota Handicap (race 7) at Tamworth.
The honest four year old, in the Luke Griffith yard at Scone, has been going well since a long break and looks hard to hold out again in today's Benchmark 64 over 1200m.
A son of El Dubai,
Star Of Dubai 
was a debut winner here then placed at his next five starts.
He finished the campaign over 1700m in a Benchmark 55 at Walcha where he had a big weight and a wide gate.
Settling a clear last, he eased to the centre of the track and stormed home to score running away by almost two lengths.
The gelding didn't race again for over a year, though, winning a trial before kicking off over 1100m on his home track of Scone.
Drawing a wide gate, he strode forward and settled fifth in the run.
Angling out wider in the straight, he showed his class with a dominant 1.3 length win.
He then stepped up to 1280m in this class at Muswellbrook and yet again drew a poor gate.
Settling midfield he was caught three wide early before securing a better spot midrace.
He angled wider straightening and loomed up before fading late to finish a close up third.
Today he tackles the same class but this time has drawn an ideal gate.
He goes well at the track, is a winner at the trip and of course can only be fitter for the two runs back.
The gelding can bounce back and looks the one to beat.
Zarbu didn't have a lot go right last time and is worth another chance here.
The Dianne Lumsden trained gelding resumed at Scone over 1100m and after getting well back and covering ground he charged home to finish runner up behind Ruling Class, a horse subsequently beaten incidentally by Star Of Dubai.
Zarbu then raced at Newcastle where he drifted back on the inside before again finding the line well to finish seventh in a richer race than he meets today.
Next start was over 1200m at Gosford and he was able to sit much closer to the pace, boxing on well at the finish but just missing out behind Drop Of Magic.
Last start, over 1300m at Necastle, he had a big weight and a wide gate and didn't help his chances with a slow getaway.
Settling at the tail and turning there, he made steady ground in the straight but to finish 10th, but was beaten only 4.2 lengths.
Today he returns to Tamworth where he has a good record and will carry less weight.
He has drawn much better and should be running on hard with a better start.
Imeldamay is going better than it appears and looks an each way chance.
She resumed over 1200m at Newcastle and boxed on well for sixth, finishing just ahead of Zarbu.
Next run was in Queensland where she tackled a Class 6 at Eagle Farm.
There she bombed the start and was always well back, never getting into the race and finishing at the tail.
Back on her home track of Tamworth she raced in a Benchmark 70 and after settling fourth turned wide in the straight and battled home to finish seventh.
Today she races over the same track and distance but drops back in grade.
She drops in weight after the claim, has the inside gate and gets the chance to show her best.
Miss Teejay's finished third in the same race last time and although up in weight this time could sneak a place again in the easier grade.
