Roberts had the blazing fast Memphis Keeping picked as the favourite to win, and most others seemed to agree, but a minor upset was on the cards as kennel-mate Sienna Keeping surged ahead to take the win.

"I knew she'd probably have more speed early than him, she led right from the start, but I still thought if she didn't get too far away, he'd catch up and close it out," Roberts said.

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"He did a few little things wrong in running and that cost him the race, I think."

While both dogs aren't short on speed, there was a clear experience gap that played in Sienna Keeping's favour down the length of the race.

"She's been around the post six or seven times and he hasn't, she's got so much more experience even though she's probably not as quick," Roberts said.

Bathurst based trainer Paul Britt rounded out the top three with Helen's Memory, although there was a sizeable gap between Britt's runner and the razor-thin margin between the two Keeping dogs.

While the unlikely result offers some surprises and new opportunities, Roberts hasn't yet pinned down what's next for the winner.

"At this stage, she still doesn't look like she can run the full 500, she had a stint in Sydney, but she had a few injuries and that's why she's had to come back home," Roberts said.

"Every time we try to get her up to the distance, she breaks down, so for now, she'll stick there."

"Memphis Keeping, he'll get stepped up in distance, he's set for a trial in Wentworth park, so we'll see where we go from there."

Though the win and close second place finish is a big boost for both dog's prospects, the event himself and the race carry such prestige that Roberts was more than happy to add to her current tally of wins.

"I was very close to Les, who was Lesley Anne's father, she passed away just as I moved to Dubbo," Roberts said.

"It's one of those races where even though it's not necessarily the highest prize money, but it has that bit of prestige; everyone in the area wants to win that race, so yeah get a really good calibre of dog, it's just one of those ones we all want to win," Roberts said.

"I think I've won five now, but to win again is huge, Lesley Anne's brother Matthew was there and I was able to face-time into the presentation, which was lovely to see."

An earlier race in the night named in honour of Les Leonard was won by Wellington trainer Ronald Steel with Fast Eddie Cargo beating Barry Bolt.