Jumping at $44 on TAB after opening in triple figures for the Benchmark 78 over 1300m, Monegal unleashed in the straight, Andrew Adkins delivering a stunning ride from the back of the field to win by 1.5 lengths.

Matthew Smith's Tricky Gal was second, the Godolphin-trained Handspun third, with Robert and Luke Price's Cuban Royale suffering from a wide run to be seventh.

First-up from a spell, the four-year-old mare, with her sixth win in 25 starts, is Bateup's first metropolitan Saturday winner.

"I've had a couple of mid-weekers, but this is the first Saturday one and a really special horse to win it with," Bateup told Sky Racing.

"She's been such a good little horse, we bought her for $3000, she's won a Bega Cup, this is her sixth win, she's won at Canterbury, we're really proud of her.

"She's been absolutely flying at home, we came here reasonably confident she'd run a nice race today and I couldn't believe she opened up at $126."

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Monegal had three months off since her last start when seventh in the Albury Cup, having last won in the Bega Cup back in February over 1600m.

She had previously won at Canterbury over 1580m in June last year.

Jockey Andrew Adkins said he was convinced by Bateup he was a winning chance in the race.

"I actually said to Theresa is she having this run as a fitness run and going on to something to the middle distance and she said no, she's ready to win," Adkins said.

"She was very bullish about it and shows she knows what she's talking about that's for sure.

"Obviously I was going to end up back in a 1300m, but Theresa said bounce around, get her into a spot where she's comfortable and travelled well and the run's come at the right time in the straight.

"She was first up and I had to let her find the line and she absolutely attacked the line, so she might be in for a very nice prep."