Saturday marked Lundholm's first meeting back since serving a four-month ban following inquiry into three oral syringes found in his float at Rosehill in May.

He was delighted when Clayton Gallagher rode Harwok'N'Zoff took out the Daikin Air Conditioning Class 1 Handicap (1600m) but then endured a nervy wait following a protest from jockeys Andrew Banks and Billy Cray, who finished second and third respectively.

Gallagher and Harwok'N'Zoff had run slightly wayward in the straight but the protest was dismissed, giving Lundholm his first win since August.

"I've still got the shakes. Third runner back and I'm in the stewards room," Lundholm said after the result was confirmed.

"But I'm very happy to get the win."

While he may have been able to have a laugh about it post-race, Lundholm did take time to give a sincere thanks to all those who helped out he and his team during the past four months.

The most appreciation was for Rodney Robb, who moved from his base at Nyngan to Dubbo while Lundholm was suspended to take on his horses and keep them ticking over.

"I've got my staff to thank and Rodney and his wife Wendy and their family, they put a lot out to come to Dubbo and help us out and steer the ship," he said.

"And my own family too, they all work their and kept it together and I'm reaping the rewards a week later with the winner so it's great way to return.

"We're very lucky. We've got really good staff and there's my father as foreman and you couldn't get a better credentialed bloke than Rodney to step in, being a leading trainer in the central and western area for many, many years, so they were in good hands."

Harwok'N'Zoff was one of the numerous horses who had performed well for Robb, with a win in November and a second last time out at Warren earlier this month.

He jumped a $5 chance on Friday and Gallagher settled second from last before moving around the outside of the field as the turn for home approached.

He powered to the lead down the outside, getting ahead of Vladking ($8) and Beach House ($2.80 favourite) then despite some nervy moments late on hung to win from the Banks-ridden Tomatin ($12) and Cray on Do It ($7.50).

"He's still racing quite greenly and hasn't put it all together yet," Gallagher said.

"He shows his best form when he's chasing but we got to the front a little too early so it was about keeping him balanced and keeping his mind on the job.

"It wasn't easy but he got the job done eventually."

Lundholm also finished the meeting with a placing after Matter Of Factor ($7 favourite) ran third behind the Ian Holland-trained Boult ($8.50) and Michael Lunn's Proutest Moment ($18) in the day's final event, the Chillrite Service and Repair Benchmark 50 Handicap (1300m).