Ridden by Simon Miller, Bel Dancer broke through for her first career win from her 10th start after previously notching three minor placings.

The four-year-old was always travelling in the run and sprinted quickly at the top of the home straight to pinch a commanding lead over her rivals.

Bel Dancer ($7) was never seriously challenged in the run home to score by 2¾ lengths over Dalehill.

The heavily supported Flying Echo ($2.10-fav) was a further 1¼ lengths away in third.

Connections pocketed an extra $20,000 for the victory with the race carrying a Vobis Gold owners bonus.

“She was always bolting in the run and I thought it was a fairly soft win in the end,” Maher said.

“I’m not too sure how strong the opposition was but they put a fair bit of money on the third horse Flying Echo.

“So my horse got out to a good price in the end and with the bonus it was a good day at the office.

“I targeted this race after she ran second on Albury Gold Cup day.

“It’s not often you when you make a plan and it comes off so when it does, it’s something to savour.”

Bel Dancer is owned by a local syndicate, including Wodonga publican John Perry, who bred the mare.

Maher said Bel Dancer had no trouble handling rain-affected tracks but was uncertain where she would have her next start.

Wodonga trainer Liz Aalbers also landed a win on her home track after Prairie Sun took out the $15,000 Benchmark 64 Hcp (1200m) with apprentice Nick Heywood aboard.

Jockeys Ibrahim Gundogdu and claiming apprentice Mitch Aitken shared the riding honours after the pair both landed doubles.

Wodonga and District Turf Club will hold its next meeting on July 26 with the time-honoured Jack Maher Classic the feature race.