By far the least experienced galloper in the capacity 14 horse field, the Gayna Williams Bathurst trained From The Bush was brilliantly ridden by Tony Cavallo.

Away quickly from an outside barrier, From The Bush ($3.40 favourite) enjoyed a charmed run behind the leader Eiger in the 1600 metres Cup before breaking clear in the straight.

Coming from near last, Reward Seeker (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $12) carrying the 61kg top weight made a valiant attempt to reel in From The Bush but was beaten by three quarters of a length while Toulon Brook (Michael Heagney, $40) ran on well for third.

Wellington based Michael Mulholland who trains Reward Seeker had won the Forbes Cup in 2019 with Steamin' and again in 2020 with The Sledgehammer.

The Cup victory made it five wins and three placings from 11 starts and From The Bush looks to have a bright future.

It wasn't the end of the action at the Forbes track, hosting its first showcase meeting.

After a tense wait there was a huge roar from the crowd when Kattegat got the photo finish decision by a short half head in the 1200 metres Amazing Forbes Benchmark 66 Handicap.

From the south coast stables of Natalie Jarvis at Moruya, Kattegat has amongst the owners some former and present day Forbes residents including Richard Barwick and David Quirk.

Finishing fast on the outside, Kattegat (Jordan Mallyon, $5.50 favourite) arrived in time to beat Whatsin (Brodie Loy, $10) which had shot through a gap to hit the lead while Mitrust Tony Cavallo, $26) held on for third ahead of the Barry Molloy, Forbes trained Caszar.

The 1400 metres Aristocrat Benchmark 58 Showcase Handicap also had a a very close finish with the Gratz Vella, Canberra trained Zaromatic (Damon Budler, $2.15 fav.) clinging on to beat Shammos (Jeff Pena, $13) by a nose with a length to the third placed Get Up Alby (Aaron Sweeney, $81).

Husband and wife Chad Lever and Claire Lever from Hawkesbury combined as jockey and trainer respectively to win the 1100 metres Shead & Nicholson Showcase Class 2 Handicap with She's Smart which raced close to the lead before taking control in the straight to score by nearly three lengths from Talihina (Jeff Penza, $4.20 equal fav.) and Underthespotlight (Brendan Ward, $26).

Dubbo trainer Connie Greig enjoyed a memorable day leading in a winning double with Inzaghi and Fiery Belle, both producing strong runs from back in the field.Inzaghi (Aaron Sweeney, $13) won the 1300 metres Daikin & Polyaire Showcase Maiden Handicap while Fiery Belle (Liam Blanch, $21) was a short half head winner over Super Chance (Tony Cavallo, $5) I the 1400 metres Seeley International Showcase Class 1 Handicap.

Other winners at the Forbes Cup meeting which attracted a big crowd were the Matthew Dale, Canberra trained Surekat (Jeff Penza, $6.50) and Lockdown Gamble (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $10) from the David Smith stable at Mudgee.