Ridden by Mathew Cahill, Magic Merv ($20) scored an upset win in the $24,000 Class 3 Hcp, (1175m).

After settling midfield, Cahill had plenty of traffic ahead of him turning for home.

But the talented hoop was able to navigate a clear passage and burst to the front 200m from home.

Magic Merv was able to stave off the late challenge of Faramondo to win for the fourth time of his career.

Hanley savoured the win which was made even more special after he bred the gelding.

Magic Merv is out of his former talented mare Dry Shangny.

"I gave him a bit of a break in early August and he has come back in fantastic order," Hanley said.

"It was an unbelievable ride and that's why Cahill is one of the best in the business.

"His grandmother, mother and now Magic Merv have all won at Albury now and it's always a bit of a thrill to see a horse you bred have a win."

ALSO IN SPORT

In a tough day for punters, Magic Merv was one of six winners who saluted at double figure odds on the seven race card.

Garratt Road ($15, Scott Collings), Lady Kermadec ($10, David O'Prey), Miss Isolation ($15, Mitch Beer), Grigio ($31, Russell Hogan) and Hervor ($26, Andrew Dale) were the other longshot winners.

1500 patrons flocked to the course as the Albury Racing Club welcomed back punters for the first time since the Albury Gold Cup carnival.

Club chief executive Steve Hetherton said it was a welcoming sight to finally have the crowds and atmosphere back trackside.

"Welcoming back crowds was exciting but seeing everybody enjoying themselves was the most pleasing thing," Hetherton said.

"The positive feedback we have received since has been fantastic.

"It was a great day socially and it would have been the largest crowd that we attracted on the corresponding day for several years.

"Probably the biggest surprise was the younger patrons who were out in force.

"We knew from the ticket sales online and how fast they were selling last week that it was going to be a younger crowd.

"That's the great thing about young crowds, you know they are coming because they purchase their tickets online."

Hetherton said he also received plenty of positive feedback from industry participants in regards to the state of the track.

"One racing NSW official commented that he hadn't seen the track in better condition and how fairly it raced on the weekend," Hetherton said.

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