Retlaw Lad started the $4.40 favourite after the late scratching of Darren Weir's Gotta Take Care in the 2000-metre Seppelts Salinger 0-68 handicap.

With apprentice jockey Jacob Rule on board, Shardan Lad jumped well from a wide gate, moving across to take the lead around the 1600-metre mark.

Normandy Landing and Offshore battled for second while Paul Marks manoeuvred Retlaw Lad into fourth spot on the fence.

Shardan Lad maintained its forward position for most of the race, leading by two lengths to Scenic Buzz as the field rounded the home turn into the straight.

With Shardan Lad still a length ahead at the 150-metre mark Retlaw Lad put in a last ditch effort, pulling up beside the seven-year-old West Point gelding in a strong drive to the line.

Shardan Lad ($6.80) took the honours by a nose in the photo finish from Retlaw Lad ($1.70) with two lengths away to Scenic Buzz ($2.00).

A nervous Darren Hitchcock waited for the result of the photo finish, convinced his horse had been pipped at the post.

The owner/trainer was not the only one celebrating the result, with the home crowd cheering the judge's ruling.

Hitchcock said he was fairly confident going into the race, especially after the late scratching of favourite Gotta Take Care.

''I thought he'd (Shardan Lad) do well but didn't think he could beat Darren Weir's horse,'' Hitchcock said.

''When he was scratched before the race, I gave us a good each-way chance.''

Hitchcock said the race basically went according to plan.

''He went a bit hard in stages, but otherwise it went pretty much as we hoped. We planned to go forward and we did,'' he said.

It has been a good few weeks for Hitchcock with Shardan Lad winning its first race at Horsham on December 20, followed up by a second in the 1800-metre TB White and Sons 0-62 handicap at Burrumbeet on New Year's Day.

''He's in good form lately, which is not a big surprise as he showed a lot of promise,'' Hitchcock said.

''He probably should have won two races in his first prep but he was a bit unlucky.''

Hitchcock said he hoped to run Shardan Lad in Ballarat on January 14.

''Hopefully he'll run in the country showcase race over 2300 metres,'' he said.

''He's never run over that distance before so I don't know if he'll get the trip, but I'm pretty confident - about 70 per cent sure - he'll get the trip.''