Preparing a strong team for his hometown Cup meeting next Sunday, local trainer Kieren Hazelton won the final event at Gilgandra on Saturday with Order Of Merit.

Owned by Bowman Racing, the seven year old gelding Order Of Merit was ridden an outstanding race by apprentice Zoe Hunt in the 1200 metres Projence Benchmark 50 Handicap.

After travelling midfield, Order Of Merit ($7) found clear running at the top of the short straight and overhauled South Bullaway (Clayton Gallagher, $7.50) to win by a short neck with another Hazelton trained galloper War Toy (Jordan Quince, $21) running on well for third.

Zoe Hunt is apprenticed to Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm who won the 1200 metres Railway Hotel Maiden Handicap with Miss Piera ridden by Kody Nestor.

In front from the outset, Miss Piera ($4.80) lasted to score by a half head from Juliet Bravo (Andrew Banks, $17) with two lengths to the third placed Clan D’Oro (Clayton Gallagher, $3.10).

Orange based apprentice Jordan Quince rode the second win of her career when taking out the 1100 metres Kitchen Painting Services & More Benchmark 50 Handicap on the Barry Wall, Cowra trained Yael’s Delight.

Making it three wins from five starts at the Gilgandra track and six wins overall, Yael’s Delight ($4.20 to $3.60 favourite) jumped quickly and led all the way to win by a short neck from Gold Smiles (Michael Heagney, $13) and Belle Sonnet (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $21).

Reaching the lead close to home, Bandolero looked the likely winner however coming from near last Enthralled out wide gained the judges verdict in a deceptive photo finish to the 1600 metres Wayne Mallison Painter & Decorator Benchmark 50 Handicap.

Trained at Muswellbrook by Carlos Antonio, Enthralled (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $16) won by a half head from Bandolero (Kody Nestor, $8) with a short half head to Hoorini (Shayleigh Ingelse, $9.50).

An exciting conclusion also to the 1000 metres Western Farm Machinery Maiden Plate when the Jeremy Sylvester, Cessnock trained Devoted Deputy (Clayton Gallagher, $1.70 favourite) charged through a late opening on the rails to beat Hefty Price (Shannen Llewellyn, $3.70) and Press Gaze (Shayleigh Ingelse, $17) in a three way photo finish.

Not so close was the finish to the 1800 metres Royal Hotel Class 1 & Maiden Plate with the Melissa Dennett, Tamworth trained A Tent Hut (Shannen Llewellyn, $1.75 favourite) leading most of the way to win by over two lengths from Sulmaher (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $9.50) and Amantaka (Cobi Vitler, $3).

Prior to the $50,000 Gilgandra Cup on Sunday a Calcutta will be held on Saturday night at the Gilgandra Services Club the sponsor of the Cup.