Coming off a strong tempo, the Peter Maher-trained gelding held on to defeat Gary Colvin’s Danetrille ($21) by a nose.

The finish was that tight the Wodonga trainer didn’t even think Cha Cha King ($4) won the race.

“I thought he had got beaten to be honest,” Maher said.

Coming off a seventh in the Wodonga Cup, Maher was pleased with his efforts.

Especially now that the win leaves him exempt from the ballot for the Ted Ryder Cup.

“He did a really good job and tough it out really well,” he said.

Maher is now setting his sights on the feature race next week.

With the race run over the same conditions, although on the course proper next other and winning on the Riverside track on Monday, Maher expects he Cha Cha King will be well suited.

“It should be a good race for him,” he said. “That is the plan for him at this stage.”

He hopes to have been peaking for the race fourth up from a spell.

Maher has been pleased by how he has stepped up this preparation.

“He was second up (in the Wodonga Cup) so I think he has improved today and hopefully he will approve again next time,” he said.

Ridden to victory by Nick Heywood, the former Wagga jockey was pleased by how well the race panned out.

Just sitting behind the solid tempo set by Supply Money ($3.90 favourite), the young hoop thought it really suited.

“It was quick enough and probably suited him in a way,” Heywood said. 

“He is a big strider and he just fell out at the start and I didn’t have to push him too much to be there.

“I sat off the leader a good length and a half, which gave him that good breather, and at the 800 he gradually picked the bit up.

“It was a tough win.”

“He is obviously coming out of the Wodonga Gold Cup, where he only got beaten three and a half lengths, which is good enough form to win that race.”

Maher was also impressed by how Heywood rode him.

“Nick rode him a treat and is it good to have him back on,” he said.

“He’s a good young bloke.” 

However there is plenty of doubt on whether Heywood can commit to the ride next week.

He rides at 56 kilograms and expects Cha Cha King will receive less than that from the handicappers.

“It all depends on the weights,” Heywood said.

“It will all depend on the weights if I ride him but he should be hard to beat.

“If I don’t then good luck to them.”

The Ted Ryder Cup is on Friday with nominations due Monday.