A bond lasting more than two decades produced another memory when Dubai Watch prevailed in a driving finish at Sandown on Wednesday.
Jockey Luke Currie got everything out of Dubai Watch in the last 150m to get the gelding home a nose ahead of Bold Strike for his fourth win in his last five starts for Mornington trainer Vincent Hall.
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The pair first met when Hall started his riding career during which he was one of Australia’s best apprentices before rising weight forced him out of the saddle.
However, Hall said he and Currie have been friends for the entire period.
“He’s a touch older than me and he took me under his wing,” Hall said.
“I was only 16 or 17 and we’ve been great mates since then.
“We have 25 years of friendship and it’s great to support him. He’s a great jockey.
“He deserves everything he gets.”
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Dubai Watch gave Hall his second win at metropolitan level, which he said was a welcome boost for the business he was developing with his partner Briar Stobie on the Mornington Peninsula.
“It’s a perfect result. Me and Briar work in well together and she does a great job with this horse,” Hall said.
“He can be quite fierce, or he was when he came to us, and she’s got him grounded and working beautifully.
“We’re getting good results buying tried horses and we have some young ones there that take time.
“We’re just getting started.”
Originally published as Trainer Vincent Hall combines with long-time mate Luke Currie for welcome city win with Dubai Watch at Sandown