The gelding ran third at the Victorian Derby Day in 2014, and proved its worth as it accounted for the small field of runners at Great Western.

Six scratching prior to the race meant only seven horses made it into the gates for the cup.

Ararat Gold Cup runner-up Something to Share once again ran second, ahead of Vianden in third.

Race favourite Petracca, ridden by Dean Yendall was unable to make it into the placing and finished fourth.

Riding Nozomi was 19-year-old jockey Liam Riordan.

He led the Godolphin-owned horse across the line in first place for the biggest win of his burgeoning career.

Riordan said Nozomi had been handicapped by a a big weight ahead of the race, but the race went to plan.

“We looked to press forward, on his best form he ran third at the Victorian Derby behind Preferment a few years ago and has just done a tendon in between,” he said.

“The plan was to sit just outside the leader, sit outside Petracca and that was how it worked out.

“I thought I was on the best horse for the race and it proved that way – it was exciting to get the victory.”

For Riordan, the win is the biggest in his career and was his second for the day after he rode Stella Effort to first place in race one.

The three-year-old maiden plate was won by Stella Effort, ahead of Part the Sea.

Veteran jockey Linda Meech rode Part the Sea to start an outstanding day.

She rode three winners, including Miss Danni in the Ian Kilpatrick Memorial Maiden Plate, Time Ford in the BM58 Handicap and New Zealand horse No fairy in the race seven

Stawell trainer Terry O’Sullivan had mixed success, with Brightlight Boy running first in race four.

Jailhouse Rock’s third-place in race one was his only other placing.

Both horses were ridden by 28-year-old Declan Bates.

The large crowd of attendees enjoyed warm weather and clear skies for the day’s racing.

Great Western Racing Club chairman Carl Barry said the crowd had been down on previous years.

“We are probably slightly disappointed on last year,” he said.

“It is down a bit, but we had a beautiful day for it.

“The crowd that is here had a beautiful day, the track has come up extremely well and we have got plenty of entertainment.”