A very big crowd gathered at the picturesque Bedgerebong track to see a thriller unfold in the cup.

The 2012 winner Poker Pro set up a good lead midrace with Backabel, Sea Commands, Plaisance and Chiasma taking handy positions in the nine-horse field.

Sea Commands (Ashley Boyd ($5.50) reached the lead in the straight and then held on to beat the strong-finishing Chiasma ($4.00, Stuart Brown) by a half-head with Backabel ($12.00, Watara Shimamura) a half-neck away in third place.

A nose away in fourth was the Garry Lunn-trained Rockbuster ($4.40, Aaron Sweeney) which flashed home after missing the start.

The trainer of Sea Commands is former outstanding young jockey Clint Lundholm, who now has stables at Dubbo.

Lundholm had only been to Bedgerebong once before and that was as the rider of 2010 Cup winner Nampara Bullet, which was trained by his grandfather John Lundholm from Coonamble.

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Attempting to break every weight-carrying record in the book the Paul Theobald-trained Dragon's Keep was brave but couldn't hold out Dodge Tide in the Clearview Bracelet Trophy Handicap (800m).

Dragon's Keep lumped 72kg to win the 2012 Bracelet and this year was burdened with a massive 75.5kg.

Attacked for the lead by Tap The Bar, Dragon's Keep ($3.00, Alan Barton) fought gamely when Dodge Tide challenged after enjoying a nice trail.

With 11kg less in the saddle, Dodge Tide ($2.50 fav, Ricky Blewitt) edged clear to beat Dragon's Keep by one-and-a-half lengths with Tap The Bar ($15.00, Rebeka Prest) a half-length away in third.

Trained by Lindsey Kennedy at Narromine, Dodge Tide received the strapper's trophy for best-presented horse at the Bedgerebong meeting.

The stewards panel warded Stuart Brown the Jack Hodges Memorial Trophy for most outstanding ride for his exhibition on Red Letters, winner of the Kevin Miller, Whitley, Lennon and Co Class B Handicap (1100m).

Alan Barton took out the leading jockey prize on the day while Jeff Brasch was awarded the leading trainer trophy.