Returning to the track following his first career lost in the group one Bathurst Gold Crown in March, the Col Thomas-trained two-year-old didn’t have it all his own way, but was still good enough to hold off Jumping Jack Jimmy by 1.5 metres.

There was fireworks at the start as both Bettermatch ($1.90 fav) and Kingofthstars ($2.20) blistered out of the gate in search of the early lead.

However Bettermatch had two pluses over his main rival, starting from an inside barrier draw and having more experience on the smaller tracks.

It proved to be a big difference with the Victorian visitor breaking stride coming around the first corner, hindering his chances before tiring late to finish sixth.

Although not as impressive as some of his earlier starts, against a stronger field driver Stephen Maguire was happy with the performance, even though he expects he’ll gain a lot of benefit from the run.

“He went alright,” Maguire said. “He came out of the gate good and once he was left in front he relaxed like he does and only jogged along but he found something at the finish.

“I think he will be improved by that run and it will really help him.”

Bettermatch’s record now goes to six wins from seven starts.

After winning his heat Maguire doesn’t expect he’ll race until the semi-finals of the lucrative series at Menangle on June 13.