Three of Penza's winners - What A Girl ($26), San Marco ($21) and Loves To Rock ($13) - were at double-figure odds, while Criaderas ($4.40) and Hardspot ($6) were second favourites.

"Very happy to ride five winners for the first time on one of my favourite tracks," Penza said.

"It was unexpected with three of the winners at double figures but that's how it goes.

"You go to some meetings with an attractive book of rides and don't ride a winner."

Godolphin three-year-old Criaderas won the 1200-metre colts, geldings and entires maiden plate by half a length, finishing over the top of the Peter and Paul Snowden-trained favourite Devan.

"He drew the outside of the field and he was slow away but he finished the race off nicely," Penza said.

"They were running into a strong headwind. He has a lot of upside."

Hardspot, for Scone trainer Brett Cavanough, led all the way to win race seven by one and a half lengths from Trophies Galore.

"Hardspot appreciated dropping back to 1200 metres in the benchmark 70 handicap and he ran them off their legs," Penza said. "I believe he is going to Wagga for the cup carnival in May."

Chris Waller-trained Frankel filly What A Girl lifted late to win by almost half a length over 1400m, the Anthony Cummings-trained Loves To Rock finished one and three quarters of a length clear in a benchmark 64 handicap over 1850m, and Peter Ball's San Marco flashed down the outside to prevail by a length and a half over 900m in a benchmark 64 handicap.

"What A Girl's win was a surprise as she had only one trial and went into a 1400-metre maiden on debut," Penza said.

"I couldn't hold San Marco any slower at the top of the straight, he was belting. Loves To Rock had a lovely run behind the leader and outstayed them."

The wins continue a strong comeback from Penza, who broke a leg, arm, elbow and ribs in a race fall at Queanbeyan in October 2018. The two-time Newcastle premiership-winner did not ride for 11 months and since returning in September, he has racked up 48 victories.

The only local win on Saturday came in the final event, the 1400m class two handicap. Mark Minervini-trained mare French Response, with Darryl McLellan aboard, was resuming when she snatched victory in the closing stages.

She placed in three starts over the staying courses before a three-month spell but she was neglected by punters as an $18 chance.

McLellan brought French Response with a well-timed run from midfield to win by a head.

Sydney apprentice Cejay Graham landed a winning double on the Les Bridge-trained Madam Legend and Jason Coyle's Lunar Rain.

Racing returns to Newcastle Racecourse on Tuesday.