Stewards upheld the protest by the five-year-old mare's jockey Grant Buckley alleging interference from seven-year-old Taree mare Eyebea Danser, trained by Michael Byers and ridden by Raymond Spokes, over the last 100 metres of the race.

Head steward Jack Penfold said Eyebea Danser came out from near the fence and bumped Danzibar Dancer which was gradually overhauling its rival after trying to lead all the way from its outside barrier.

Eyebea Danser at one stage led by about four lengths and gave Danzibar Dancer, trained by Jim Louizos, a cosy run in second place.

"My horse goes better not being held up," Byers said.

The connections of both gallopers were friendly with the decision, Louizos saying he was "very happy" in winning his first cup at home since shifting base from Gosford.

"She was very brave to be able to carry her big weight from a wide barrier."

The mare has been a model of consistency in the country and at her 23rd start notched her fifth win, along with seven placings, for prizemoney nearing $100,000.

Louizos said his mare loves racing and will continue doing so despite a long campaign.

The original dead-heat result was the first for a long time and an extra trophy for connections wasn't needed following the upheld protest.

A sick leading NSW jockey Aaron Bullock necessitated replacement riders on some top hopes, one of them being Somersby trainer Grant Allard's Canford Mick which was ridden by Samantha Clenton for a neck win in the Country Colours Maiden Handicap over 1250m.

He said the gelding "has done nothing wrong" this campaign after being unlucky not to win over 1000m at its previous start at Taree.

Five-year-old Wauchope mare Music Box Dancer, trained by Grant Prosser for breeder and former local bookmaker Russell Salt and ridden by Spokes,made its three wins from four starts in the LJ Hooker Harrington Class 3 Handicap over 1600m.

"She has always had ability and is going through her grades quickly," Prosser said of the neck win.

Salt said the mare's dam, now deceased, had left the winners of 39 races, Music Box Dancer being Love Thy Neighbour's last foal.

Gosford jockey Chris O'Brien picked up the ride from Bullock on Warwick Farm gelding Counterfeited for trainer "farmer" Graham Brown in the Liquor Stax Harrington Class 1 & Maiden Plate over 2000m and had an armchair ride for a nearly four lengths win.

"My horse gave them a galloping lesson and may win a weak one in town," Brown said.

O'Brien was also successful on Gosford gelding Geotime for trainer Gregory McFarlane in the Coopernook Hotel Maiden Handicap over 1000m.

Part-owner David Lyons marvelled at the strong ride by O'Brien to get the "still learning" galloper to win.

Newcastle trainer Paul Perry's son Nathan was happy to see his wife's mare She's Independent, ridden by Port jockey Luke Rolls, score a narrow win at $51 in the Bottlemart-Harrington Cellars Maiden Plate over 1400m at its 11th start.

Punters were greeted with another long-shot when Port's Capannello, trained by Vince Jones and ridden by Jeff Kehoe, had a half-neck win in the Club Harrngton Benchmark 58 Handicap over 1000m.