While Lanson was the sentimental favourite early in last night's programme at Alexandra Park, the most exciting prospect was Onedin Legacy, who won the first leg of Pick6.
The Cantebury pacer had produced two huge performances without luck earlier in the carnival but those who stayed faithful cleaned up lastnight.
The four-year-old got a perfect run through at the start to soon wrest the lead off favourite Badlands Bute with 1600m to run.
From that point the race was over and he cruised clear to hold the favourite, with Chris Riley at the head of a well-beaten remainder.
The win ensures Onedin Legacy will remain in the north to be set for the rich four-year-old double, the Taylor Mile and Messenger Championship, in late April and early May.
By doing so he will be a harness racing rarity, a feature race contender actually trained at Alexandra Park.
That is where the giant gelding has been stabled for the last three weeks and trainer-driver Henderson Hunter has no plans to change the arrangement.
Earlier in the night Ambro The Thug scored a major upset when he downed favourite and leader Analyst in the two-year-old pace. He completed a rare big-odds double for trainer Geoff Small, who also prepared Southern Ruler to win the first race at 14-1.
