With six races and three attracting full fields, organisers say they’re thrilled with how the day’s action panned out.

Tamworth’s seven-year-old gelding Sambora was the surprise winner of Saturday’s main race following two poor runs in its previous hit-outs.

After finishing last at his two preceding starts at Kempsey and the Glen Innes Cup the week before, Sambora was down the pecking order in the punters picks.

Moonbi jockey Melissa Brown took the gelding straight to the front, led most of the way and pushing to the final turn, the advantage was still four lengths.

On the home straight the gelding’s lead diminished but it held on for a strong victory.

Inverell gelding Tax Exemption was well back most of the race after suffering interference on the first bend but raced home well to finish fifth.

For Deepwater stalwart and former president Rob Wheatley, Tax Exemption’s run was a disappointment on the eve of Wheatley’s birthday.

Deepwater racing club president Doug Stevenson said the Cup was a pretty open field.

“The favourite, Kyspiel, ended up running fourth.

“Tax Exemption had some interference at the first bend but it didn’t jump well either,” he said.

Sambora’s victory was run in 1min 22.4secs which is a race and track record, beating the 1min 22.97secs record two races earlier by Sandra McCormack’s Beauzel in the Jack Lynch Memorial.

“A lot of record times were run on the day – it was a fast track,” Doug said.

Heavy December rain and consistent pampering meant the track was in pristine condition.

Renovations prior to the event had trainers complimenting the local organising committee.

“The trainers were very happy and commented how good the new horse stalls were.”

He’s hopeful they’ll be able to complete more before next year’s Cup day.