On a heavy 8 surface at Muswellbrook Race Club on Friday afternoon, the 2022 edition of the Royal Muswellbrook Gold Cup final was run and won over the 1500m.
A field of just 12 assembled for the race, with the impact of the recent rainfall evident in the number of runners, however that did not deter from a quality affair at the Hunter Valley circuit.
Bjorn Baker's Ita was sent out $3.50 favourite with online betting sites and with Ben Looker aboard, battling on gamely in the home straight to finish 4th by 2.01 lengths.
All honours were with the winner Regal Stage, with a beautiful ride by Winona Costin from barrier 12.
She took the gelding by Redoute's Choice to the lead at the 1280m metre mark and led throughout to score by 0.94 lengths for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott partnership.
Louise Day lost no admirers with her effort aboard Miss Redoble at big odds of $19, coming from back in the field along the rail to eat away into the winning margin, with Baker's other runner Arapaho finishing 1.51 lengths away in 3rd.
It was Regal Stage's 8th career win from start 25, having amassed $387,805 in prizemoney, with yesterday's victory his first since July 2021 at Rockhampton.