TRAINER Keith Dryden didn't let a last-minute track change hamper his Nowra Cup chances on Sunday.
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The eight-race program was shifted from the Shoalhaven City Turf Club to the Goulburn and District Racing Club, following a track inspection on Saturday morning, deeming it too wet.
Regardless of this move, Dryden's preparation was rewarded when his six-year-old gelding Balansa powered to victory in the 1600 metre Nowra Cup.
With jockey Nick Heywood on board, the pair edged Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott's Regal Stage by 0.43 lengths for the prestigious 2020 crown.
Dryden's strong return from Goulburn was capped off by him also winning the 1400 metre class one handicap with Wichita Warrior - jockeyed by Brodie Joy.
They won line honours by 0.26 lengths from Amanda Turner's Reoffender, with Theresa Bateup's River Charge third.
These two wins cap off a solid fortnight for Dryden, who has six winners from eight starts.
After finishing second to Dryden, Turner didn't go home empty-handed, winning the 1000 metre benchmark 58 handicap with Nostro Re.
With Chad Lever on board, the pair managed to hold off challenges from Robert and Luke Price's Giordano and Graeme Murray's Lord Boulevard.
The afternoon's first race, the 1150 metre maiden handicap, was taken out by Gregory Hickman's Our Bellagio Miss, ahead of Robert and Luke Price's Kentucky Award and Richard Butler's Are Zhu Ready.
Michael Gatty's Gorush Lightning was victorious in the 1200 metre class two handicap, from Kurt Goldman's Safe Landing and Doug Gorrel's Onthetake - while Brad Widdup's Islands starred in the 1200 metre benchmark 66 handicap.
Widdup's three-year-old filly, ridden by Koby Jennings, claimed first place from Tash Burleigh's Arithmetic and Noel Mayfield-Smith's Polhampton.
The final race of the day, the 1400 metre maiden plate, was secured by Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones' Belleistic, with Danielle Seib's Terre Di Baccio and Matthew Dale's Clem Fandango second and third respectively.