Ridden by apprentice James Innes, the Mark Mason-trained three-year-old parked just off the pace before scooting away in the straight to win by three-parts of a length from 11-4 favorite Perfect Star with Rockatorio (10-1) a length away third.

Royal Engineer was having just its sixth start on Thursday and made it two wins on end after collecting a 1200m maiden on a heavy track at Gunnedah four weeks ago – an effort that prompted Mason to suggest there were more wins in store for the gelding.

“Robert Thompson won a maiden on him on at his start before this, so when it did rain (overnight) at Moree a lot of them didn’t handle it – he did,” Mason smiled.

“Usually when they win their next start after winning a maiden they have a little something going for them.

“He’s a half-brother to Strictly Concert, so hopefully he ends up as good as him,” he said.

Strictly Concert, fourth in last Year’s Moree Cup behind Monashee Woods, was a Canterbury winner for Mason 12 months ago.

Mason said Royal Engineer was handled perfectly by Innes, who has five good rides at Quirindi tomorrow.

“James rode him to a ‘T’,” Mason said.

“The horse won well, and the young fella rode him perfectly, exactly to instructions.

“James put the horse in the right spot, let them go silly in front, and then had the last crack at them – it was a very good ride.”

Thursday’s feature race was named in honour of the late Tony McCosker, who passed away suddenly last month.

McCosker was a long-serving stablehand and strapper for Moree trainer Peter Sinclair and was well-known at racetracks across north-western NSW and southern Queensland.

“He’s sadly missed and it’s great that the Moree Race Club named a race in his honour,” Sinclair said.