The win came in the final race of the day for the Bell-trained gelding Bob’s Warrior.

The gelding was stepping up in class but he handled it well to win by half a length over Mishani Stealth in the 1300m benchmark 70 handicap.

“That was a handy field, he’s only a benchmark 44,” Bell said.

“I thought he ran a good race and for that field, I thought he’d be good to run midfield. I’m very, very happy.”

Bob’s Warrior dropped to the back of the field from the start but it didn’t matter.

Jockey Robert Agnew steered the seven-year-old home and Bell couldn’t have been happier with the ride.

“He did everything I asked him to do,” Bell said of Agnew.

“[I said] ‘get his mind on the job at the 800’ and he did that.

“You have to make sure you get clear running and get around the outside because once he gets going, he’s pretty good.”

Bell had no immediate plans for Bob’s Warrior next race.

In the other races, Marlz Moments delivered Cessnock trainer Graham Payne the first win of the day. 

Rocket Money lived up to his name to earn a first career win in the second race over 1100m.

Terry Green rode Cosmic Reign to a win in race three. 

Tamworth trainer Mark Hatch snagged a victory in the fourth race over 1300m with Blaine while Princess Pattern won race five over 1900m.

Inverell trainer Allan Foran won race six with Ruby Two Shoes. 

Stirling Osland was then the first local Armidale trainer to win when New Endeavour beat One Tin Soldier by half a length before the Craig Martin-trained Present Sense took out the eighth.