The seven-year-old was having his first start since November 2015 and had just one trial under the belt, where he finished fourth, 20 metres behind the winner.

As a result he started as a $67.60 chance, the longest odds of any runner.

None of that stopped Tim McGee from stealing the win, holding off Peter Bullock’s Swaggie Shannon for his first victory in more than two years.

Amanda Turnbull’s Partnersinvanceelot started the race as a $3 favourite but it was Wendy Turnbull’s Pinegrove (Jake Betts, $4) that took the early lead after starting from barrier one.

Tim McGee sat at the back of the field and stayed there for the first lap, with Rue making a move as they met the bell.

After a quiet start with the leaders while the the leaders fought it out, Tim McGee began to move forward.

Pinegrove and Partnersinvancelotwere vying for the lead as they headed into the back straight but Tim McGee steamed up to take the lead in the run for home.

Swaggie Shannon (Aaron Garaty, $11.50) chased hard in the final metres but finished a head behind. Perfectdistraction (Angela Hedges, $4.40) was third.

Mick Lew’s Mister Jogalong grabbed a win in the Quambys Pride Pace, beating the field home by 1.6 metres as a $2.90 chance.

Amanda Turnbull’s Raksmach was a convincing winner in the $8160 Arthur J Gallagher Insurance Brokers Final, beating the field home by 15 metres.