At a glance, it may not look like Karloo Damajor has been racing as well as he ever has.
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But Barry Lew has been pleased with the gelding in recent times and is hoping with a little luck the six-year-old can take out Saturday night's Orana Wool and Scrap Metal Dubbo City Cup (2525m).
Karloo Damajor hasn't won since saluting at his home track on January 30, but he has placed four times in seven starts since then.
"He's been racing well but has been without luck," Dubbo trainer Lew said.
"He drew nine at Bathurst and had some slow horses in front of him so he got carted back and then flashed home. Hopefully he can flash home a bit better again.
"He's working well, as good as ever so he'll be thereabouts."
The last start at Bathurst was an eye-catching one. Karloo Damajor flashed home from deep in the field to finish third behind Steve Turnbull's Courtsinsession in the Cathedral Parish Cup, a win recorded in a hot mile rate of 1.53.3.
"He was near last but he finished third and he was flying," Lew said.
"He was chasing some good horses in front, too."
Karloo Damajor, who started his career with eight wins and five seconds from his first 17 starts, will go from barrier five in a field of six in Saturday night's cup at Dubbo Paceway.
He's working well, as good as ever, so he'll be thereabouts.
- Barry Lew
Mat Rue, someone who has developed a strong relationship with Lew over the years, will again take the drive.
Lew will trust Rue with figuring out the run from gate five of six.
"That's not my responsibility. I've got to have the horse right and once he's in the yard he's Matty's problem," Lew laughed, but added Karloo Damajor has little gate speed.
"But he'll look after him. He'll slot in and even if he's deep at the back he won't be that far off the lead and he can come home quickly.
"He'll get home well and the best part of his race will be the last bit."
The Steve Turnbull-trained Cherry Mahoney will go from gate three with John O'Shea in the gig. Cherry Mahoney ran a promising fourth at Menangle last time out while Saturday's cup field also features his stablemate Bradness Eldefuego.
Also running in the $10200 feature is the Amanda Turnbull-trained Jonah Jones, Bernie Hewitt's Royal Story and Always Amy from the stables of Chris Bourke.
Racing starts at 5.37pm on Saturday with the cup sixth on the card at 8.06pm.