Trained by Noelene Walsh, the El Galo x Tim Tamterra dog had only been to the races on one prior occasion where he finished sixth behind Spring James at Coonamble earlier in the month.

On that occasion he suffered severe interference and was beaten more than 35 lengths but yesterday he had no such worries after jumping swiftly from box five.

Punters were forgiving of that run as Laurie's First started a $5.60 second favourite behind Extreme Tyco ($1.80 fav) and his swift start allowed him to find the rails and lead his rival early.

Sneaky Isa crossed from box six and sat outside the leader, keeping Extreme Tyco in a pocket for the first half of the race but when Laurie's First kicked rounding the top corner it let the favourite out.

As the field hit the home straight, Extreme Tyco looked set to go straight past the leader but again Laurie's First found a slight kick and it was enough to give him a nose margin on the line.

Sneaky Isa ($19.60) was a further three-and-a-half lengths away in third place.

Later in the day there was an upset in the Betfair Blue Paws Final (400m) with one of the outsiders, Kuta Rob, getting the prize for trainer Garry Sheather.

Once again on the pace was the place to be, with the $15.90 chance spearing across the field from gate six to find the front.