Heywood has longed for a win in the feature Wagga sprint and will have a runner in this year’s $110,000 Town Plate courtesy of Man Of Peace’s win at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

Man Of Peace ($6.00) held off the fast-finishing Got The Goss ($9.00) to win the $30,000 Bede Murray Town Plate Prelude (1200m) and book his place in Thursday week’s main event.

Heywood is looking forward to having yet another crack at Town Plate glory.

“It’s been a race that’s got a history with me,” Heywood said.

“I’ve never won it and probably should have won four or five.

“This could be my last crack of the whip at a Town Plate too.”

Simon Miller took the ride on Man Of Peace and hit the front early in the straight, where the pair held off a quality field of sprinters.

Heywood believes the four-year-old will certainly be competitive in the Plate.

“It’s a bit early to say he can’t win it. It’s pretty hard to say until you see whats in the Town Plate, that will be the big thing,” he said.

“It depends what they bring from Sydney and Melbourne but he’ll be very competitive I'm sure.”

Man Of Peace now boasts five wins and two thirds from seven starts on his home track at Wagga.

Leucura ($9.00) worked home strongly to run third for Wagga trainer Chris Heywood, and son Nick.