Sydney-based trainers Roger Elliot and Graeme Rogerson were ecstatic with the decision to bring the gutsy gelding to Port for the cup.

Elliot and his team were contemplating leaving the six-year-old in Sydney to race at Rosehill earlier in the week, but were vindicated in their decision when the gelding beat home a field of 14 to win the feature event on the eight-race card.

Wells was bold taking the gelding straight to the front and despite never having secured a win over the distance he fought like a caged lion to go from wire to wire to win the cup in a thrilling finish.

“We got over beautifully from the wide draw and I could not believe the perfect run we had in the lead,” Wells said.

“He was just trucking along and I knew he was going to give me plenty in the home straight when the challengers were going to come at me.”

The challengers came thick and fast and it looked like local hoop Danny Peisley, who rode a superb race on the Warwick Farm-trained Zampara ($6.50), could win the Cup when he emerged from the trail.

Zampara got in front by a neck but Barlanganey kicked back to fight him off.

The flying, and slightly unlucky, Encosta Tsztu ($3.50) hurtled home from nowhere late to make a last ditch bid for victory but it was Barlaganey’s day.

Trainer Elliot used to ride in Port Macquarie 30 years ago and said it was “great to be back and capture the cup”.

Barlaganey finished the race threequarters of a length ahead of Encosta Tszyu, who pipped Peisley on Zampara by half a head.