The Geoff Duryea-trained gelding had to do most of the bullocking work in the $70,000 feature, but still proved too strong to hand apprentice jockey Brock Ryan his biggest career win.

Ryan, 22, was thrilled with Greipel ($8.50), who withstood a late charge from Chief In Command ($7) to win by a half length.

“I drew the wide alley and was always going to need a bit of luck,” Ryan said. “It just worked out that one went forward pretty quickly and I could follow him across and get a nice run into the race.

"The horse is a genuine wet tracker if you look at his form, but done a great job coming back to this hard track and a tight-turning track.

“It was a tough effort by the horse”

It was a rare yet successful trip to Gundagai for the Corowa-based Duryea.

He was worried when the track was upgraded to a Firm 2 after the first race, but it didn’t seem to bother the five-year-old.

It was the first time Duryea had set a horse for the race, with the increased prizemoney an extra incentive.

He thought Ryan finding a position up on the speed was the key.

“I was pretty worried about the firm track but he dug deep and that is all I can ask,” Duryea said.

“I thought we could (win) but when the track got upgraded it really worried me, but he has done us proud.”

Greipel will now head to the paddock for a spell.