Ken Dunbar knows Cowboys Karma as good as anyone and he's excited for his chances in next month's $100,000 Dubbo Gold Cup after taking out Friday's prelude event.
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Dunbar produced a fine ride on the Allan Gibson-trained Cowboys Karma as the gelding showed plenty of quality and strength in his first run this preparation.
Cowboys Karma will now automatically go into the September 15 Gold Cup, and while that race is expected to draw in a huge amount of class gallopers the Dubbo feature specialist is sure to not let anyone down.
"First-up over the 1400 after a little time off and he's come out and won. He's just got a big motor," a pleased Dunbar said after Friday's win.
The pace of the race was a slight concern for the fresh Cowboys Karma but Dunbar quickly got Gibson's gelding to the front and in control.
With Cowboys Karma at the front, where he likes to be, Dunbar set the pace while the Brett Cavanough-trained Ibini ($1.85 favourite) stalked the leader.
Ibini, ridden by Mathew Cahill, moved up on the outside and threatened to take the lead as the field entered the bend for home in the Dubbo City Toyota Dubbo Gold Cup Prelude (1410m).
Smoodge ($5.50) also began to loom further wide but Cowboys Karma ($7) found another gear and Dunbar was able to kick clear again.
He went on to win by a length from Ibini while Hope Island ($4.20) finished well for third.
"First-up I was a little worried and didn't want to go too quick but he got there and travelled really easy and couldn't be happier," Dunbar said, before looking to the cup.
"After that little bit of a let-up he's got a little but left in the tank ... and now but I'm looking forward to it."
Cowboys Karma now goes into next month's $100,000 feature while Cavanough may be forced to wait and see if Ibini's benchmark rating will be high enough for him to earn a start.