The Dubbo jockey, one of the larger-built hoops on the circuit, has battled with his weight for much of his career while there has also been a host of injuries suffered.

But he’s currently enjoying a consistent run in the saddle and was a convincing winner in Monday’s Train 365 Class 1 and Maiden Plate (2100m).

“The weight is as good as it can be for a fat fella like me but the body is going well and am punching a few winners home … everything is good at the moment,” he told Sky Thoroughbred Central after guiding the Stephen Jones-trained gelding to a one-length win.

Jason Attard’s Megalopolis jumped a warm $2.70 favourite and jockey Keagan Latham settled midfield just behind Nestor and Sportstar Samuel ($14).

Ophaeo Rose ($61) set the pace early and led by two lengths at the 1000m mark but as the bend approached the field bunched and that was when Nestor made his move.

Peeling wide, Nestor got Sportstar Samuel in front and then onto the rails in the straight while Megalopolis gave chase.

But Attard’s hope had given Sportstar Samuel too much of a start and the progeny of Drumbeats and River Music went on to score career win number  two from 21 starts.

“The trip was never a bother and it was only a mediocre bunch of horses there today but in saying that I didn’t know how strong he was,” Nestor said.

“But the way the race was run we were able to get an alright position and able to pop out at the 700m and get rolling and he was too fit.”

There was joy at Orange for Dubbo trainer Allan Gibson as well after Cowboys Karma made it three straight wins.

After back-to-back wins at Dubbo Turf Club last month, Cowboys Karma was handed the 61kg top weight while Ken Dunbar returned to the saddle for the first time this preparation.

Both the previous wins came after the gelding set the pace from out in front but that wasn’t the case on Monday as he took the lead late and then held off a fast-finishing Raised To Duel.

“He’s a nice strong horse,” Dunbar said after scoring with the $6.30 chance, before speaking about the expected rise in benchmark ratings after a hat-trick of wins.

“But where he goes from here might be a big factor.”

Champion jockey Greg Ryan also had reason to cheer when riding winners for Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker in the day’s first two events.

After scoring an utterly dominant six-and-three-quarter length win in the first race onboard Shantou ($1.50), Ryan was made to work before saluting with Riva Romance ($1.28) in the very next event.