Friday's win was a long time coming for the Gwenda Markwell-trained horse, Pioneer absent from racing for almost two years before returning in January for this campaign.

After two second-place finishes, the gelding finally broke through on his home track and Latham is confident Pioneer will eventually race in Sydney.

"We'll probably keep it simple and go to a class one next," Latham said. "I don't think we need to throw him into the deep end quite yet.

"He's always given Gwenda a good impression and for Gwenda to have kept him considering he had two years off, she obviously sees a lot more than just a maiden and class one in him.

"We'll climb the ladder slowly and hopefully end up in town."

Pioneer's triumph came on a successful day for the Markwell stable, Miss Jenny taking out a benchmark 64 1600m handicap in race five and Electric Girl winning the last in impressive fashion.

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Miss Jenny's victory was her first in 12 races and jockey Sam Clipperton said it was great to finally break through after a last-start second.

"It was a good win today because she was there to be beaten for a long way," Clipperton said.

"She gave me a feel at the 600 that she was going to come off the bridle early, I gave her a bit of a dig in the ribs and she lifted straight away.

"She was in front a long way, but a good tough effort, she put the writing on the wall last start."

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