Peel was one of five jockeys injured in a horror five-horse fall at Tamworth in early March and Sunday's feature win with Mr Pumblechook was her first win since returning to racing.

To help recover from a broken shoulder, the Tamworth-based apprentice embarked on a rigorous fitness program. Sunday's effort showed it was worth it, as Mr Pumblechook ($3.40) prevailed in a tight finish.

"It's my first winner back, I've only been back for a couple of weeks and it means a lot," Peel said.

"I was quite confident going into the race."

Given a charmed run by Peel behind leaders, the Cody Morgan-trained Mr Pumblechook wore down a tenacious More Than Art (Billy Cray, $15) to score by a short-neck, with Attalea (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $2.80 favourite) a short head away third.

Attalea was gunning for a second successive cup win for hometown trainer Brett Thompson.

But instead it was Peel who was the toast of the track.

The rookie jockey has now ridden 66 winners after riding for less than two years.

Mudgee trainer Bob Howe had a winning double at the annual Gulgong meeting as Anthony Cavallo rode both Byzantium ($6) and Northern Conqueror ($4.60) to victory.

Thompson may have missed out in the main event but he did have Queen Isla (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.40) with the Maiden Handicap (1400m).

Wellington trainer Michael Mulholland scored a win at Gulgong with Butter Toast.

The $6.50 chance was taken to the early lead by Daniel Pitomac and was a one-and-a-half lengths winner of the Benchmark 56 Handicap (1800m).

Comzig (Wendy Peel, $4.60 fav.) came from the back of the field and finished fast out wide to run second while Sorry I'm Awesome (Billy Cray, $6) also finished well for third.

Pat Farrell, a long time leading trainer at Muswellbrook, combined with former Queensland jockey Rhiannon Payne to win the Maiden Plate (1000m) with Calcitro ($2.60 fav.), which led all the way to beat Donelita (Jake Pracey-Holmes, $4.60) and Water Union (Ashleigh Stanley, $7).