Tony Bambry took centre stage on his home track this afternoon when he produced Dubai Belle to upset a strong field in the day’s feature.

The Awapuni horseman’s triumph with the 16-1 chance in the Gr. 3 Merial Ancare Metric Mile represented his first success at black-type level and the biggest win of his 23-year training career.

“I’ve had a few fillies placed over the years with Ormond Road second in a Warstep Stakes and Sitting on A Hill was third in the Eulogy, but this is an enormous thrill," Bambry said. "I’ve always rated her highly.”

Dubai Belle had been a winner three starts back at Otaki and then placed on a return visit before she went to New Plymouth. She was out of the money there over 1800 metres, but didn’t disappoint connections despite finishing eighth.

“Bruce Almighty took us on all the way there and I thought it was a great run,” Bambry said. "It was only in the last 100 metres that she compounded and she pulled up really well.”

Dubai Belle was ridden today by Robert Hannam, who executed the pre-race plan perfectly after jumping well and pushing up on the leader Khemosabi’s inner across the top. The five-year-old was in front on straightening and hung tough in the run home to win by a short head from Amberio.

“She needs to be up racing handy like that and she doesn’t like other horses around her,” Bambry said. “She’s got a really good kick and there’s no doubt she’s a quality mare, she showed that.”

Raced by her Foxton breeder Robin Hapi, Dubai Belle has now won six races up to 1600 metres and isn’t expected to have any trouble progressing further.

“In 12 months’ time she’ll be going 2000 metres,” Bambry said. “I think she’s the sort of mare that could run in all three of those big races at Hastings next year and she’ll go on top of the ground.”

In the meantime, Dubai Belle is likely to step out next in the Gr. 3 Windsor Park Stud Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera on October 13.