Souquet sat quietly at the back of the field on Straover in the $22,000 Class 1 Hcp, (1400m) until well into the home straight.

Despite travelling well, the patient hoop waited until the final furlong before releasing the brakes.

Straover then produced a breathtaking turn of foot to go from near last to first in a blink of an eye.

The three-year-old has now won two of three starts this preparation.

IN OTHER NEWS

Trainer Craig Widdison said Straover was a frustrating but talented galloper to train.

"He is a bit of a wayward galloper that can be hard to handle at times," Widdison said.

"I've made several gear changes but it doesn't seem to make an iota of difference.

"Nick got off him and said the run was full of merit.

"He copped a bit of a interference from another horse as they entered the straight.

"But in a promising sign he was able to pick-up and put them away like he did.

"I thought it was quite an impressive effort really."

Straover started at $9.50 after finishing unplaced on the Ballarat synthetic track at his previous start.

Souquet claimed the riding honours after landing a treble.

He won the opening race aboard Dream Brother ($1.50) for Cranbourne based trainer Mark Webb.

Souquet and Webb also combined to win aboard Darlamax who was also a short-priced favourite at $1.40.

Webb made the trek more than worthwhile after he also landed a treble with Golden Esprit saluting early in the meeting.

Meanwhile Albury trainer Pat Widdup has been fined $4000 after Benjamery tested positive to Lignocaine after winning at Albury on May 13.

An inquiry established that Widdup had been treating Benjamery for a rash on its neck with Illum Neocort, a product which contains Lignocaine.

Widdup pleaded guilty to to a charge under AR245(1) of having administered or caused to be administered a prohibited substance namely Lignocaine to the race horse Benjamery which was detected in a post-race blood sample.

Given in was Widdup's first offence under this rule, his guilty plea and forthright evidence he was fined the sum of $4000.

Widdup was advised of his right to appeal.

Benjamery was disqualified and placings amended.

Racing Victoria has scheduled an additional meeting at Wangaratta on Sunday.

The additional meeting is to assist connections impacted when last Saturday's Wodonga meeting was abandoned due to wet weather.

Nominations for the eight-race program will close at noon today, with acceptances to be taken at 9:30am the following day.

Horses which were a final acceptor at Wodonga will be given preference in the ballot.

Albury will race again in a fortnight in its final meeting before the new season commences on August 1.