The 1400m race was largely led by Ruettiger until the final 50m as Anthony Darmanin led February's Hobart Cup winner to a tight win from Mystical Pursuit.

Short favourite Mandela Effect ran third.

"I'm very pleased," Trinder said after the win.

"Probably went a bridge too far last time when I ran her in the Newmarket - traditionally horses don't win Hobart Cups and come back and win a Newmarket first up.

"But to be beaten by four lengths in the Newmarket was a very good run because her best part of the race was her last 50 yards and today was the same."

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Trinder said Toorak Affair's next run would be in the Tasmanian Stakes on January 2.

Son Adam, meanwhile, had a winner in race four with Mystical Beauty first home in the 1400m maiden.

Earlier, Siggy Carr had led Bandinelli to a third-straight win over the 1200m distance.

In a race that saw Dylan Clark-trained Just Run make its first appearance in four and half years, the four-year-old led from start to finish to hold out good competition in Street Tough.

Carr, who also trains Bandinelli, said she was impressed by a good run in windy conditions.

"Good win - I thought he was not really up to this class with Street Tough in it - obviously he was a very good runner in the Newmarket," Carr said.

"He settled beautifully today which really helped."