Ridden by three-kilo claiming apprentice Michael Dracos, Arigato staved off the fast-finishing Levante to score by a neck with Moree-owned speedster Qualo half-a-length away third.

Arigato's strong win - his eighth from just 17 starts - lifted the gelding's career earnings to almost $60,000.

The win against slick metropolitan company was in vast contrast to Arigato's previous effort when third behind bush cups king Nepelle at Moree last month - although the performance was far better than it appeared, according to Kempsey jockey Terry Treichel.

Treichel won the race on local hero Nepelle - a fast-finishing second at Dalby on Tuesday 3 September - but praised Arigato's luckless third.

"The speed was on from the word go and the race was run to suit the backmarkers," Treichel said.

"We got a lovely run off the speed and there was no way the horses up front could keep going and win the race.

"Arigato drew wide and was never on the track - he was four-wide all the way and pretty unlucky."

Arigato's trainer, Keith Swan, went within a long-neck of landing a winning double at Doomben on Saturday when stable star Caissa was narrowly beaten by Vain Halo.

Caissa, runner-up to Citichy in the time-honoured Ramornie Handicap at Grafton back in July, stormed home along the fence from eighth spot on the home-turn to just miss.

Caissa's name is expected to be among Moree Cup nominations next week, giving Keith Swan a double-edged attack for the MRC's feature race.

The trainer won the Moree Cup two years ago with Arctic Will and has his eyes firmly set on the $25,000 owners' and trainers' bonus being offered by the MRC and bookmakers Jeff Conroy and Bruce, Terry and Chris Picone.

Meanwhile, Peter Sinclair's tough little gelding Nepelle lost few admirers after a slashing second at Dalby on Tuesday, September 3.

The gelding, owned by David and Jane Manchee, stormed home from next to last to finish second to Celestial Sprinter in a 1300m open handicap.

Nepelle has been a model of consistency for the Manchees, winning the St George, Narrabri, Gilgandra, Collarenebri and Moree Cotton Cups in recent years.

The gelding, yet to finish out of a place from 15 starts on his home track, has also been placed in the Walcha, Quirindi and Mungindi Cups.

The gelding now looms as a genuine contender for the Moree Cup, a race the Manchees won 17 years ago with Carva Niche.

"The Moree Cup is the race we're looking at," David Manchee said.

"He's been a great little horse for us and has won a lot of cup races.

"He's been beaten in some big races too, including two Inverell Cups when he was narrowly beaten both times."

Media Release - NSW CRC