Twya had a long neck to spare over a brave Platinum Witness with a further half neck back to Acquisto, two of three fillies in the race.
"We've always had a bit of time for him at home and the better track probably helped him too today. I've got no idea what is being planned for him, but there are certainly a lot more options after today," Sweeney said.
Harris record
A cast of thousands celebrated in style after talented Tavistock filly Avisto simply toyed with her rivals in the $50,000 Listed O'Leary's Fillies Stakes.
A small, but select field of fillies lined up in the 1200m dash, but it was the Roger James-trained filly that had the last say. While she won by only half a neck from Second Time Lucky, Avisto was always going to win after Noel Harris gave her some rein 100m out from the line. Ryder Stakes winner Niki Piki Milo held on for third a length and three-quarters back.
Avisto, who had won the Listed Great Northern Foal Stakes last season, is owned by the 60-strong Challenge Racehorse Syndicate managed by Adrian Clark.
At least half the owners filled the birdcage for the winner's presentation where it was revealed by Harris that the win had edged him passed the riding record of the great Bill Skelton.
Harris had equalled the record of 2155 wins earlier in the day when he won on Weissmuller.
"I've got the bot and very nearly didn't make it today, but she's a good filly and looks exceptional. The win was also special because it allowed me to beat Billy Skelton's record," Harris said.
Meanwhile, Clark said while Avisto held a nomination for the Group One 1000 Guineas, the Riccarton race was more of an afterthought.
"The only two races Roger and I have talked about is this one today and the Listed Soliloquy Stakes in three weeks time. We did nominated her for the 1000 Guineas and while was an afterthought there's no certainty she'll start,' Clark said.
"It was great to see so many of the owners here today and they're loving it. There's probably about another 30 at home."
First 2YO winner
Opaki trainer Gerald Innes worked some magic for his owners when Hocus Pocus won the first two-year-old race of the season - the Veandercross Juvenile Plate.
The Per Incanto filly showed real grit when fighting back after being headed close to the finish of the 800m dash to win by a half neck over race favourite Serena Miss with the Rogerson stablemate Wawrinka holding third.
Rider Darryl Bradley showed a cool head, giving the filly only one crack with the whip before riding her out hands and heels to the line after being in the leading bunch throughout.
Innes said she was a "real little fighter" and would improve from the experience.
Hocus Pocus is raced by Innes, Wellingtonian Ian Burgess and longtime friend Ron Fokerd.
"We bought her from Little Avondale Stud," Burgess said.
"I do a bit of breeding and lost one recently so bought this one as a replacement and it looks like we'll have a bit of fun with her."
Bradley said Hocus Pocus was a professional little racehorse despite her age and inexperience.
Durie Hill wins
Locally owned and trained Durie Hill bounced back to winning form in the Wanganui Steelformers 1200 for Rating 65 gallopers.
The Tiger Hill six-year-old raced three times for a win, a second and a third as a three-year-old from Evan and JJ Rayner's stable for then Hong Kong owner Kennic Lui.
The promise he showed convinced Lui he would make the grade in Hong Kong, but unfortunately tendinitis prevented him from starting on the Asian circuit.
"He never actually broke down, but tendinitis prevented him running in Hong Kong. Owners over there are only allowed to race a couple of horses at the same time, so Mr Lui very generously gifted Durie Hill to us and even paid for the return fare," JJ Rayner said.
"He had a start at Taranaki in May, but just didn't handle the track conditions and only beat a few home. He also needed that run. We thought today's 1200m might be a bit short for him, although we expected him to run a good race.
"The win was a bit of a surprise and Hayden [jockey Tinsley] said he was a completely different from two years ago - far more relaxed and laid back. We expect him to stay and will start stepping him up from now on," she said.
Durie Hill is raced by Rayner, her father Evan and her partner Peter Deans.
