Spackman has enjoyed plenty of success in big races across the Southern District but a winner on either Town Plate or Gold Cup day had so far eluded him.

But just a week after burying his father, former trainer Bill Spackman, the win of Alise ($14) in the Wagga RSL Country Showcase Maiden Plate (1200m) put a smile back on his face.

Kathy O'Hara brought Alise with a well-timed run, as she stormed home in the heavy conditions to score by one and a quarter lengths, from Miss Elsie May ($2.80) and Glorious Dream ($6.50).

Spackman was over the moon with the win.

"It's nice to get one on Cup day and it's a week since we buried the old man, too. It was with his old colours on, too," Spackman said.

"That's my first winner over the carnival, ever. I've never had a winner on Cup day or Town Plate day. I've won Preludes and that to get into them, but I've never won one. I've always been thereabouts without winning one. It's been shattering."

Alise is raced by a big group of local owners and Spackman said they were delighted with the win, despite the obvious downside of being unable to be on track.

"I just got off the phone to one of them then," he said.

"He said all I've ever wanted to do is win a race at Wagga, and on Cup day you've done it, you bastard, and I can't even have a beer with you."

Spackman has always held a nice opinion of the three-year-old Canford Cliffs filly and was pleased to see her put it all together at start number four.

"I have. She just keeps improving, the little filly," he said.

"She was very unlucky last start. Jordan Mallyon got off and just said he slaughtered her. They were his words, not mine. I didn't disagree with him.

"She needs to be ridden that certain way. The beauty of Kathy O'Hara, you can leg her on with confidence and she just listens to you and what you've got to say. We've had a bit of luck with Kath over a period of time. Her record with me is pretty good."

It was O'Hara's first win at this year's Wagga carnival after going into self isolation to change zones.

Spackman said he will wait and see how Alise pulls up before he sits down to assess what the future holds for her.

"She's only a tiny little thing and it's only her fourth start. I'll sit down and map out a bit of a plan now," he said.

"We weren't too sure what we were going to do, with this wet weather, but she seems to be handling the going so we'll just wait and see how she pulls up and trains on. If she trains on, we'll look to go somewhere else with her, if not, we'll give her a little freshen up and get this wet and cold weather out of the road.

"But while she's going alright, it's hard to tip one out that's going ok. The whole four runs this time have been good, without looking like they've been good, I suppose."