Featured on the card was another renewal of the 1,400-metre Allan E “Billy” Williams Memorial Trophy. The outcome was rather surprising.

The convincing 29-1 winner by one and a half lengths Sweet Majesty (Paul Francis) had half a dozen starts at this Overnight Allowance level, with only a finish of third by nine lengths back in October her best effort. The medium-sized five-year-old mare was presented in immaculate condition by trainer Edward Stanberry for his most highly rated success.

The 1,500-metre opener on the nine-race card was won in good style by eight-year-old mare My Mom Juss (4-1) who sped by the frontrunners inside the final 200 metres was five and a half lengths the best with two-kilo claiming jockey Samantha Fletcher at the reins for veteran trainer Stedman Curtis to open his 2023 account.

Half an hour later, it was the turn of trainer Norman Smith to make his first 2023 visit to the winners’ enclosure with former three-time champion reinsman Anthony Thomas winning his second race this year. Smith earned the right when his nicely conformed maiden colt El Fortunado (2-1) confirmed a promising fourth-place run on debut winning the day’s second contested over 1,100 metres.

The third, run at 1,100 metres, went to the Patrick Lynch’s hard-knocking filly Charmin Beauty (9-5) with lightweight two-kilo claiming jockey Jordan Barrett inducing a strong late finish from his mount.

In race four Roger Hewitt did not have much to do in the saddle as Steven Todd’s Military Shot (2-1) was 17 lengths better than the second-placed finisher over 1,400 metres.

Former six-time champion Omar Walker reminded first time and current titlist Dane Dawkins over 1,400 metres of race five that he can be vulnerable to the tactics of more experienced reinsmen. Walker led aboard Hecandance (5-1) saddled by Donovan Plummer but was overtaken 400 metres out by Dawkins aboard the 4-5 favourite Dodge This Link. Entering the final 200 metres the backers of Dodge This Link experienced a high which turned quickly to concern as Walker induced a strong late rally from Hecandance to retake the ascendancy close home.

Impressive in conformation maiden General Chief (4-5) schooled by Spencer Chung confirmed his promise in race six run over the 1,000-metre straight course with a win margin of four and a half lengths for Reyan Lewis’ first of a riding double. The in-form jockey confirmed his double with Lawrence Freemantle’s Shadowfax (4-5) eight and a half lengths clear at the end of the 1,400-metre gallop of race eight.

Race seven confirmed the good form of promising three-kilo claiming apprentice Ramon Nepare. In a surprisingly competitive event, the lightly weighted reinsman timed his winning challenge perfectly with Michael Marlowe’s Wright In Flight (4-5) arriving in the final stride to score by a head. Nepare; with five successes already is favourite to be the top claiming rider this season.

The Training Feat Award is presented to Stanberry for the significant improvement in the form of Sweet Majesty to execute the Best Winning Gallop. Omar Walker’s performance aboard Hecandance is deserving of the Jockeyship Award.