Prepared by Australia's number one trainer Graeme Bate, the Victorian visitor used his explosive mid-race acceleration to gain a winning break while Rewind was trying to extricate himself from some early trouble.

On the line Allen Benji ($3.70) had almost eight lengths to spare over the fast-finishing Rewind ($2.30 fav) with Moonah-trained greyhound Shanlyn Peanut ($34.10) finishing third.

There will be no time to rest for Allen Benji who returned to Victoria last night aboard the Spirit of Tasmania and he will run in the heats of the Warrugal Cup on Sunday night.

Travelling foreman Rob Camilleri said Bate hadn't discounted Allen Benji returning for next month's Launceston Cup and a decision would be made after Warrugal.

After years of trying Bate won his first Devonport Cup in 2009 with Taipan Bale and for the second time  he denied a Tasmanian champion from winning the cup in consecutive years.

Four years ago Big Moose was the local favourite but had to be content with fourth placing behind Taipan Bale and yesterday it was Rewind's turn to fall victim.

His Bracknell trainer Morrie Strickland was gracious in defeat and congratulated Bate on his victory.

``Graeme's a great trainer and has proved it today,'' he said.

Bate originally sent eight greyhounds to Tasmania to contest the heats of the Devonport Cup last week but was able to qualify only Allen Benji and Schroder Bale who finished sixth.

Camilleri said Allen Benji would eventually be tried in distances over 500 metres but his mid-race brilliance was keeping him to shorter races at present.

Bate trains for Australia's biggest greyhound owners Paul and Janice Wheeler from Sydney and Janice is in the ownership of Allen Benji.

North-West Greyhound Racing Club chairman Gary Sutton paid tribute to Bate for his on-going support of the Devonport Cup.

Brighton-trained Bergemeister made a one-act affair of the Angus Evans Memorial when he led all the way.

Bergemeister ($2.90 fav) led from start to finish in the race recognised as the  cup consolidation.