One of the longest priced winners in the 66-year history of the prestigious Leeton feature, The Kew Legend was sent out a $61 chance but defied expectations to take out a thrilling finish to the two-year-old classic.

Set alight by Damian Wilson at the start to find the front from gate four, The Kew Legend withstood plenty of early pressure to maintain his early lead.

And he kept on fighting as the swoopers tried in vain to chase him down late.

Experienced Kialla trainer David Farrar was thrilled with the turnaround.

"It was fantastic," Farrar said.

"He's a nice little horse."

Farrar is no stranger to racing at Leeton but the Breeders Plate now holds a special place as he brought up his first group success in the process.

"It means everything," he said.

"I'm just an old battler so it's fantastic."

He also labelled Wilson's drive as marvellous.

The Victorian reinsman was impressed with the son of Bettors Delight's fighting qualities.

"I was surprised he got out of the gate as quick as he did but once I got ahead of them there was no way I was handing up as he's a tough sort of customer," Wilson said.

"He just kept fighting and as soon as one come next to him he just wanted to dig in."

The Kew Legend finished fifth in his heat a fortnight ago, beaten 56.8 metres by Im Lady Madeleine after being well supported in the market.

However he looked a completely different pacer this time around to take out the group three feature.

Farrar put the stark improvement down to the change of conditions, after the heats were run on January 10 in very hot and windy conditions.

"It was 47 degrees when we come up and he got dehydrated," he said.

"I couldn't get him to pee and it was the first time he'd been away but the trip away did him a world of good."

The Kew Legend set a strong time, clocking a mile rate of 1:59.4 to down Amy Leanne ($23) by a neck.

Fellow outsider Takidah ($126) finished third a further 2.4 metres away.

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