Alot To Hoffa, with Singleton apprentice Mikayla Weir aboard, lifted late to win the class one handicap over 1450 metres and make it two victories in three race starts for Blay.

The gelding had one trial for Wagga trainer Chris Heywood in 2017 but was not seen again until last November when trialling for Blay at Gosford.

He won on debut for Blay at Tuncurry on December 9, giving the trainer his first victory, and was then sixth at Muswellbrook.

Blay, a former showjumping rider, hails from Gundagai but has been based at Singleton the past five years. He rides trackwork for Todd Howlett and has ventured into training himself in recent months.

"It's such a relief to get that, and it was a fantastic performance by him. I'm so happy with it," Blay told Sky Thoroughbred Central on Sunday.

"I've probably had him only six months. I got him off a good friend of ours, Chris Heywood, he didn't have enough room in his stable and he said, 'Have a go. He's a nice horse.' And we're so happy to have him."

The win was part of a double for Muswellbrook trainers. Michael Dobie took out the last, a class one handicap (1000m), with the Greg Ryan-ridden Friendly Venture.

Newcastle jockey Darryl McLellan combined with the powerful Peter and Paul Snowden stable to land a winning double aboard Candy Bar and Oaksastar.