Yates combined with apprentice jockey Jess Philpot to win with former New South Wales galloper Redjina in the Pony Express 0-58 Handicap (2000m).

Philpot's three kilogram claim proved vital as Redjina clung on to defeat race favourite Pufnstuf by half a length.

Philpot produced a great front running ride on the four-year-old gelding.

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Captain Argento lost rider Will Price at the start and took off through the field.

Philpot kept her cool, let Captain Argento go and rated Redjina well.

Redjina gave a good kick on straightening, opened up a race winning lead and then held off the fast-finishing Pufnstuf.

Formerly trained in Sydney by Bjorn Baker, Redjina was having his fifth start for the Yates yard.

He'd ran good races without placing over 1200, 1400m and 1600m, but relished the step up to 2000m and saluted impressively.

Meanwhile, O'Neill's galloper The Rich Fisher broke through for a well-deserved win in a 1200m 0-58 Handicap.

The seven-year-old hadn't won a race for more than 12 months, but he put the writing on the wall with two good placings at his previous two starts.

A hot tempo in front suited the gelding and jockey Joe Bowditch surged him clear over the final 100m.

Originally trained by the Lindsay Park team, The Rich Fisher now has four career wins from 34 starts - two of those wins came while in O'Neill's stable.

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