It was the first of seven races at the Tamworth Jockey Club on the day, as the Corporate Sponsors Race Meeting took place.

While Bennett was in Sydney for an Off The Rails special interview stable foreman Tina Eveleigh was in charge at Tamworth, and delighted with what could have been a debut and a farewell at the same time.

The daughter of Bernardini had been trained by Gary Portelli but was sent to Bennett earlier this month.

She had not run since finishing fourth at Nowra, also earlier this month, but she led much of the way on the Heavy 10 track to post a two-and-three-quarter-lengths victory.

Second was the Rod Northam-trained Upesi while Gavin Groth’s Captain Kirk placed third, with Daniel Northey riding the second-placed horse while Greg Ryan rode the third placegetter.

Such was the condition of the track, they covered the last 600m in 39.56secs.

The trainers of the second and fourth placegetters were also from Scone while the trainer of the third placegetter was from Gunnedah. Blaine, which led in the early stages before finishing fourth, was trained by Mark Hatch.

Rachael Murray rode the four-year-old mare for Bennett and was delighted with her effort.

“She got the job done, now she’ll become a mummy,” the leading jockey said.

Eveleigh added: “We only got her two-and-a-half weeks ago.

“She went to Sebring and then they sent up to us.”

Upesi, by I Am Invincible out of the Hurricane Sky mare Party Pants, also produced an effort that points to some good things ahead for her Walcha connections.

“She ran great, despite the heavy track and wide barrier,” Scone trainer Rod Northam told one of the owners, Matt Macarthur-Onslow.

“She ran out of puff the last 100m.”