Art Cadeau, for South Coast trainer Terry Robinson, edged out 2019 champion Handle The Truth in an epic finish to the richest race for country horses on Saturday.

Less than a length away was Spiranac, which flashed home after she was shifted out multiple times in the straight by jockey James McDonald in the search for clear running from a rails position near the back of the field.

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Spiranac still collected $130,000 for connections and Northam was proud of the performance from the five-year-old.

"It was a huge effort and I was really happy with her," Northam said.

"She just struggled to get clear air until really late.

"I was thinking she would run an unlucky fourth, fifth, but when she got that clear air, she really jumped out of the ground. It was great.

"James thought that if she drew an inside barrier, they could have been a pair closer and she nearly wins."

He was unsure of Spiranac's next assignment but said the Hot Danish Stakes at Rosehill was an option.

"There's the Hot Danish in three weeks," he said. "We'll probably nom and see how hard it is. Otherwise we'll just look at a benchmark race around the 1400."