Powerscourt came into his own last campaign with four victories and kicked off a new preparation in style at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.

Powerscourt sat wide without cover for the entire journey but was still able to dig deep in the home straight to win the Suez Australia Benchmark 58 Handicap (1000m).

Donnelly unlocked the key to Powerscourt last preparation and Ede again played a big part in the horse's success with her two kilogram claim helping the eight-year-old capture his fourth benchmark 58 victory.

Powerscourt carried 61.5kg, after Ede's claim, but was still too strong for his rivals as he powered through the heavy conditions to score by one and a half lengths in a rare all-Wagga finish.

In what proved to be a good day for visiting trainers, Powerscourt held off Zarsnip ($16) and Mouse Almighty ($9.00), who filled out the minor placings, to get one back for the home team.

Donnelly explained how the wet weather forced a change in his plans.

"We were going to go forward today. Initially when the field came out, before the rain came, we would have gone back, back to last," Donnelly said.

"He can do either, he can lead or go back to last. But when it's been so wet, I think it's hard to make up a lot of ground today, so we thought look he's got enough speed to go forward, there looked to be only one leader, El Nieto, so we said we'll just go forward.

"I walked the track this morning and I think you probably don't need to get into where the cutaway is so we wanted to avoid that and Heni carried it out really well."

A horse that has been so successful when finding the rail, Donnelly was not too concerned when Powerscourt got trapped wide.

"I think the thing is keep them in rhythm," he said.

"He's a good honest horse, he's a great horse fresh and 1000 metres suits him really well."

Donnelly likes to keep Powerscourt's runs spaced apart and has earmarked a Benchmark 66 Handicap (1000m) at Corowa next month as his likely next assignment.

Another win for the Southern District came courtesy of Who Told Ya ($15) winning the Belmont Pest Management Class One Handicap (1200m) for Berrigan trainer Shilleagh Meyervale and jockey Brad Vale.

It was the mare's first win for owner Des Perryman since leaving the Chris Heywood stable in August.

The mare led and dug deep to hold off the fast-finishing Newton Braveheart ($2.50) by a nose.

"She's just needed the right timing, she's had a few issues that we've had to get on top of," Meyervale said.

"I thought if she gets to the straight in front, then we're in with a good chance, because she gets through the heavy."

Albury trainer John Taylor also enjoyed success with Ivy's Belle ($21) in the WDF Professional Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).

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