Both of Graham's winners, The Drake ($4.60) in the Mid Coast Automotive Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1007m and Magnalane ($1.85) in the Thank You All Emergency Services CG&E Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1257m, were impressive in scoring by over two lengths.

Five-year-old gelding The Drake, ridden by Wauchope's Belinda Hodder, is owned by a syndicate of Port and Sydney owners who banded together to race the galloper after it failed to reach a reserve price.

Breeder and head-owner, Billy Wilson, of Port, said The Drake played up in Sydney but had settled down better in its 'country environment.'

"Bringing him up here is probably a blessing in disguise because he has always shown ability," he said.

Hodder echoed his sentiments saying: "He (The Drake) was a good boy today...daylight second."

The Smart Missile gelding will be kept for local country races. Four-year-old gelding Magnalane, ridden by Newcastle and NSW's leading jockey Aaron Bullock, was bred by part owner Gerry Van Kerkhoff and was transferred from a Wyong trainer to Graham to be aimed at the rich Country Championships.

The gelding was having its third of nine starts for Graham and came from mid-field to score impressively.

Bullock said Magnalane was "nice and relaxed" and could get 1300m or 1400m.

Gosford trainer Ken Parker was happy to have five-year-old mare Hasty Heart ($5) overcome some bad luck in races to score under Thompson by a half-length in the Thank You Marine Rescue F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1257m.

"She should have won her last start at Scone," Parker said.

Thompson's other winner was on his old mate, Taree trainer Ross Stitt's five-year-old gelding Pinnacle Power ($4.80 to $2.80) which lived up to a slashing jump out to score by 1.6 lengths in the Thank You Rural Fire Service CG&E Maiden Handicap over 1312m.

The gelding was having its 25th start for its first win, having had eight placings, all at Taree, the win taking prizemoney to $46,000.

Stitt said: "I bought him for $15,000 as a yearling but he has been a bit iffy sound wise.

"On his work, he should be winning better handicap races."

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