Trained at Albury by Ray Steer, Areteare has been a revelation since joining the stable about 14 months ago.

“When I got him he had won four races in four years,” Steer said.

“I have now won six races with him, including three class records, since getting my trainers licence 14 months ago.

“He’d won $24,000 before I got him and Saturday’s win took his career earnings to $94,000.

“He only knows one way to race and that’s to get to the front and give his best.

“He bulldogged it on Saturday because he got headed in the straight but was able to fight back and win.”

Ridden by Amanda Masters, the eight-year-old gelding was unwanted in betting and drifted from $4.40 to a starting $7.

He defeated Dane’s Edge ($17) by a short-neck with Sophie’s Tryst ($15) a ½-length back in third.

Steer said Areteare would probably back up over 1800 metres at Wagga on Friday before tackling the Corowa Cup on March 9.

Steer juggles his passion for training with full-time night shift work at Geelong Leather based at Culcairn.

The veteran trainer previously trained pacers before switching codes in October 2012.

He has a small team of three horses but ideally would like another two or three horses to train.

Melbourne premiership winning trainer Peter Moody claimed the training honours with a double and a second placing for this three runners at the meeting.

Endless Summer ($1.80) claimed the opening race before Bel Seal ($3.60) won the second-leg of the quadrella.

Both gallopers were partnered by regular stable jockey Linda Meech.

Wodonga trainer Brian Cox maintained his strike rate on his home track with Pink Jubilee ($2.50) breaking through for her first career win.

Pink Jubilee was formerly trained by David Hayes.