Neither the connections nor the jockey were confident they were on the right side of the photo finish, but it all worked out in the end for Henson Park Blubag.

The $3.60 face favourite went to the line locked together with Nordic Noir ($14.00), and if anything appeared to have been beaten by the Victorian visitor.

But the photo favoured Wagga jockey Nick Heywood aboard Henson Park Blubag, awarding the mare the Tozer Construction Group Battlers Cup - Benchmark 50 Handicap (1300m) by a short half head.

Heywood was happy to claim victory.

"It was 50-50," Heywood said of his thoughts on the line.

"It always favours the outside but I was a half nose behind it 20 out from the post.

"I hit the front and it kicked back and for a couple of strides I thought 'wait a minute'. But she dug in well and got there on the line."

It was Henson Park Blubag's first win for Goulburn twins Emma and Lucy Longmire, since being purchased from the Paul Perry stable halfway through last year.

She arrived with three wins to her name from 18 starts. She was purchased by stable clients to try to win the Bong Bong Cup.

She only been one horse home at Bong Bong, but now has a Battlers Cup at Wagga to her name.

"We did think this was her race today," Longmire said.

"It was a nice run last start at Gundagai and just needed some luck.

"We're very happy to win one with her."

Barry Cotter, one of the mare's main owners, was unable to be on track due to a wedding in Slovakia but the Longmires were sure he would have been trying to tune in from overseas to watch Henson Park Blubag break through.

Meantime, the Craig Widdison-trained Baby Jack ($12.00) scored a dominant victory in the D&S Taber 2019 Riverina Cup Prelude - Benchmark 66 Handicap (2500m).

Mathew Cahill produced a patient ride as the eight-year-old continued his fond association with the Wagga track, making it two wins and five placings from eight starts.

"He hasn't had much chance the last couple of starts, he hasn't been in a spot to win from," Widdison said.

"It was a great ride from Matty today."

Widdison remains unconvinced about the chances of Baby Jack backing up in the main event, the Riverina Cup over 3800 metres next month.

Trevor Sutherland filled the minor placings with Sir Ottavio ($21.00) and Gentleman Max ($8.50).

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