Gardner grew up in Wagga and has nothing but fond memories of Ryder so was thrilled to have finally landed the race named in his honour.

Mathew Cahill produced a brilliant ride as Upper House ($7.00) stormed down the outside to claim the $32,000 Jaegers Event Hire Ted Ryder Cup (1600m).

Spunlago went desperately close to a historic third straight victory in the race, looming at the 100m mark when securing an inside run, only to be trumped by the swoopers down the outside.

Upper House downed gallant $3.70 favourite Wyangle by three quarters of a length, with Spunlago ($10) a further three quarters of a length back in third.

Gardner was thrilled to win the race named in Ryder's honour.

"It's a great thrill for me," Gardner said.

"When I was a kid riding at the picnics, Ted used to pick me up, he was the racecaller, and take me to the races. He would pick me up and take me to the races all of the time, until I got a licence, so he did that for two years.

"He was a great man back in those days."

Gardner admitted it was a race he had been chasing for a while.

"I got beaten a nose with Le Cavalier here a few years ago," he said.

"I don't think I've had a runner since. Every year I try to set something for it but it doesn't always work out. We really targeted this race with this horse and it's great when it comes off."

It was Upper House's ninth career win and took his earnings past the $200,000 mark.

He has been a terrific horse for Gardner, who owns the gelding, and enjoys Wagga, winning his maiden on the track, as well as a triumph on Gold Cup day earlier this year.

Gardner thought Upper House was the perfect horse for the Ted Ryder Cup.

"When this horse was in the paddock, this is the race we set him for," he said.

"We brought him back, I gave him a couple of jump outs, 1400 first up which he won, he needed another run so we took him to Orange and gave him a 1400 metre run and I was really confident with this horse today.

"It was a super ride from Mathew Cahill, you don't get better rides than that."

It was a brilliant day for Gardner, who trained a winning double.

Delacour ($2.20) won the opening event, the Kennards Hire Class Three Handicap (1000m), with Brendan Ward in the saddle.

It was a big effort from the three-year-old filly, who carried 59.5 kilograms to defeat her older opposition. It was Delacour's fourth straight victory, and first since a short break.

"I'm very proud of her."