Dubhdara looked an exciting prospect two seasons back when he won three in a row before an unplaced run in the Gr III Aussie Browne's Pharmacies Winter Cup.

However, last winter he failed to recapture his best form and Zimmerman was unable to find any answers.

"He just had a bit of an off season last year as they can do - I don't really know what it was," she said.

"There was nothing wrong with him and it was a bit of a mystery really."

Dubhdara has come back to form with a vengeance this campaign with two victories and four minor placings.

Raced by his Levin breeder Kevin O'Malley and his wife Tara, he raced keenly early for regular rider Lisa Allpress today.

He was kept in touch with the pace and took control 250 metres from home to account for Hoorang by three-quarters of a length, while Keisano ran on late for third ahead of Four Good Reasons and the pacemaker Beach Party.

"Those small fields can be a nuisance sometimes, but it all worked out well today." said Zimmerman.

"I was pretty confident with him and he had trained on very well."

Dubhdara, whose dam Margarita was also a winner from Zimmerman's stable, is likely to race next at Hastings on August 29 if underfoot conditions are suitable.

"There's a nice Rating 94 race for him, but he won't go if the track's too good - he's got to have it dead, slow or heavy," said Zimmerman, who rounded off her day with a winning double after Chouxmani downed a competitive line-up in the Rating 80 metric mile.

The Minardi mare showed commendable fighting qualities to hold out the promising pair of Keepereel and My Bentley.

"She's a special little mare - she's not that big, but she tries really hard and she'll probably go to Hastings next as well," said Zimmerman.

Chouxmani was having her third run back after finishing fourth in last year's Gr III Cadbury Cuddle Stakes at Trentham on Melbourne Cup day.