Jockey Tim Clark rode an inspired race to virtually lift Pajaro over the line in a blanket finish that involved 10 of the 16 runners.

The win however would have left apprentice Winona Costin feeling even sicker than she did earlier in the day.

She was booked to ride the horse but was forced to relinquish it at the last minute.

“Winona came to the track but said she too sick and went home,” Snowden said.

“That’s not like Winona and I really feel sorry for her but there will be other chances.

“Having said that, Tim rode him perfectly.”

Clark dragged Pajaro back to last early to get across from the outside barrier then tucked in on the fence with a trail.

He steadily made ground approaching the turn then ran into trouble in the straight when blocked for a run before bullocking his way clear to go on and beat Amovatio (Rory Hutchings) by a long head with Malice (James McDonald) a further short head away third. 

The win gave Snowden his third cup, his home town cup, after winning it in 2011 with Dysphonia and 2012 with Raspberries while training for Godolphin.

It is his first win since he and son Paul joined forces as public co-trainers.

Snowden said the outside barrier had concerned him and he and owners Greg and Donna Kolkivos had seriously considered not starting the horse.

“It was only Thursday night we made the decision to start because he is going to Brisbane and there was nothing else that suited him,” Snowden said.

Snowden, born and bred in Scone and the town where he rode and later started his training career, said Pajaro had been specifically aimed at the cup.

“The draw nearly brought the plan undone though,” he said.

“His unplaced run in the Hawkesbury Cup had to be forgotten because of the sticky track.

“We knew he would be better suited on the firmer going here.”