While the day eventually belonged to Blaike McDougall with four wins, it was Schiller who made his mark early on the meeting as he guided home Mahsinger ($2.80) to win the Naughtin Development Group Australia Day Cup Benchmark 58 Handicap (2000m).

Wagga trainer Gary Colvin was full of praise for Schiller's ride as Mahsinger broke through for a well-deserved win.

"She's been knocking on the door and a bit of pace on helped, and it was a good ride," Colvin said.

"He just sat there and never spent a penny. He got a nice run and got in a real good rhythm and she done it in the end. She had a bit of tussle with Willy White Socks but she fought him off and it was a good run."

Schiller made the move to Mark Newnham in Sydney last July and has only made a couple of returns to the region since.

Colvin said he would have Schiller back to ride anytime.

"I'd love him back all of the time," he said.

Mahsinger finished off strongly to down Crocodile Cod ($10) by a length, with Sydney Blue ($2.90) third.

It was the four-year-old mare's first win this preparation and Colvin was pleased to take out the Australia Day Cup.

"It's great to win a race anytime but it's good win from her," he said.

"She's not very big, she's only small but she's got a big heart and she tries really hard. The pace being on helped her a lot. She's always there but they sit and sprint and she's not that sit and sprint type. She's got to grind away."

It was a good day for local trainers with Wayne Carroll also having success with Just Business ($10) winning The Daily Advertiser Class One & Maiden Plate (1600m).

Owned by Graeme Mathieson, Just Business broke through at just his fourth start from Carroll since crossing from the Trevor Sutherland stable.

"It's taken a little bit of time to work him out, find out where he's up to and his strengths and weaknesses but a little plan came together today," Carroll said.

"I've got a nice opinion of this horse, he's really going forward."

Meantime, Tumut trainer Kerry Weir was full of praise for Blaike McDougall after Deemed Corrupt ($5.50) broke through to win the Sportsbar Plus Maiden Handicap (1000m).

"Blaike's worth two lengths," Weir said.

"The horse deserved to win that one."

It was Deemed Corrupt's first win at start number 18.

He beat the Troy Lorback-trained debutant Jandaw Spar ($4.00) by a short neck, with Zoulon ($3.80) a further length back in third.

Chris Heywood also won the Pieper Plumbing And Roofing Benchmark 58 Handicap (1200m) with Landmine ($5.00).

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