An early scrimmage saw him back in the field on Port trainer Tas Morton’s galloper whereas the winner, nine-year-old Kempsey gelding Nothing Like Luca ($16), trained by Julie Lynch, led and kicked to just outlast in the feature Manning Valley Tourism Midcoast Tourism Open Handicap over 1400m.

The win was a bonus for jockey Rachael Murray, who also had a winning double with Newcastle gelding Jamming, one of two winners for the powerful Newcastle stable of Paul Perry.

Morton figured that New Divide would have been closer and being back cost him the win.

But it was a training triumph for Lynch who had her first win for a long time, especially after seeing that the veteran galloper showed zest with a second behind Gladstone mare Va Va Voom over 1000m at Kempsey the previous Monday.

“I have changed a few things around,his feed and I only work him twice a week.

“That was his first win over 1400m (8th win from 55 starts and prizemoney of about $220,000),” she said.

Murray said she grabbed the lead easily, the gelding settled well and then fought on.

Graham’s wins were on Port four-year-old mare Jemily ($8.50), trained by John Sprague, in the Make It A Day!Melbourne Cup Day At Taree Races Class 1 Handicap over 1300m and five-year-old gelding Luna De Hero ($41),trained at Taree by Jim Delaney in the Stacks Law Firm Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1250m.

Sprague had a great run with winners early in the year and this win was the first since then.

“I needed that won…things have been a bit lean,” he said.

Syndicate head owner Peter White said a couple of wet tracks didn’t help his mare and she would now be set for a 1500m race at Port.

Delaney said Luna De Hero had been working “fantastic” but until this race had not shown the vigour on the track.

“I wasn’t hopeful…this will feed the missus a bit longer.”

Jamming had been knocking on the door for a win at its past two starts at Taree and was confidently backed from $4.60 to $3.80 and never let supporters down with a 1.25 length win in the Manning River Times Benchmark 50 Handicap over 1000m.

Perry’s other winner was four-year-old gelding The Garrett ($11), giving apprentice Matthew McGillivray his first win at the track, with a long head win in the Pre Christmas At Taree Races Maiden Handicap over 1400m.

The trainer’s son, Shannon, said The Garrett settled closer than expected in the run…”the jockey has brains.”

Taree trainer Ross Stitt was tickled pink with Single Spirit’s fighting third, after overcoming a setback, in the feature race behind Nothing Like Luca and was relieved that four-year-old mare Snitzel’s Image ($4), also having problems earlier, had overcome five frustrating placings with a win by 2.25 lengths at her ninth start in the Direct Charge & Polamore @ Stud Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate over 1250m.

In the ownership and trackside to see the win were the chairman of the race club, Greg Coleman and former Greater Taree mayor Eddie Loftus.

Loftus said: “It is 16 years since I owned a winner and I am glad my sister Cathy and I have a share in the mare.

Coleman said Snitzel’s Image was sidelined after she reared up prior to the Taree Cup Carnival last month.

Four-year-old gelding Mosaytion ($8), trained at Wyong by Damien Lane and ridden by Matthew McGuren, added to its fast finishing second at Kempsey a week before over 1450m by scoring a half-length win in the Functions @ Winning Post Function Centre Country Class 1 Plate over 1600m.

A rails-hugging ride by jockey Blake Spriggs paved the way for a half-length win by three-year-old gelding Invicta ($4.20), trained at Gosford by Ken Parker, in the Congratulations Sam Murray Entires & Geldings Maiden Plate over 1250m.