Trained by Chris Calthorpe, the three-year-old filly capped a meteoric rise after winning a Benchmark 64 Handicap at her most recent run last month.

Media Award defied her $61 longshot status after unleashing a powerful finishing burst with Luke Nolen aboard.

Former Lavington president, Peter Barwick, flew to Adelaide to watch Media Award alongside Steve Bowler, Darren Meredith, Max Grimmond, Lachie Flagg and Zach Barton-Browne.

Barwick rated the group one victory more euphoric than the Panthers drought breaking flag of 2019.

"It might be a big statement but I think this tops winning the flag in 2019," Barwick said.

"I was over the moon when the Panthers won the flag.

"But Saturday's win was completely different and it's absolutely amazing to have a group one winner.

"When we first went into the horse, we were hoping she might be good enough to win a race at Albury.

"It was an amazing feeling and an amazing day.

"To share the win with a few of the Lavington committee and players who are good mates is special.

"After spending all those years on the committee we are finally getting something out of it now."

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Several Border punters cashed in on the longshot victory including a prominent Albury publican who collected more than $10,000.

Barwick said he had been inundated with text messages from happy punters and well-wishes who had backed Media Award.

"There have been quite a few decent collects amongst the group," he said.

"One of the members of the other syndicate that owns the horse collected $50,000.

"We booked out the House of Chow Chinese restaurant on Saturday night to celebrate and spent most of the night there.

"Chris Calthorpe came back as well and we only met him on the Friday night for the first time.

"He is such a down to earth bloke and he compared his first group one winner as bigger than when Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon."

A $5000 purchase Media Award pocketed connections $275,000 after taking out the Group One feature.

Barwick said Calthorpe will let the dust settle on his maiden Group One win before deciding whether to head to Brisbane to target one of its features over the winter carnival.

"I know Chris has got a plan and there is a possibility she could go to Brisbane for the Oaks," he said.

"But she is only a slight filly and is only going to get better after she has a spell."

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