Chris Waller finally claimed Wyong Gold Cup success when Hawk Island led home a one-two finish for the in-form Sydney trainer.Waller saddled up the two favourites in the $120,000 Listed feature and it was Hawk Island ($4) who raced clear of his more fancied stablemate and race favourite Snow Alert ($2.80) to win the 2100m event by 1-3/4 lengths.Music Review ($7) was another 1-1/4 lengths away third.The victory was Hawk Island's fifth in his past six starts and his fourth in a row.Waller believes

Chris Waller finally claimed Wyong Gold Cup success when Hawk Island led home a one-two finish for the in-form Sydney trainer.

Waller saddled up the two favourites in the $120,000 Listed feature and it was Hawk Island ($4) who raced clear of his more fancied stablemate and race favourite Snow Alert ($2.80) to win the 2100m event by 1-3/4 lengths.

Music Review ($7) was another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

The victory was Hawk Island's fifth in his past six starts and his fourth in a row.

Waller believes he may have underrated the imported galloper, who is now likely to continue to the Group Three Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m) along with Snow Alert.

"Snow Alert is a very good horse and Hawk Island was going to have to do a lot to get past him, and he did it," Waller said.

"We've probably underestimated him a little bit and he's gone to another level."

The Rosehill-based trainer had finished third in the past two Wyong Cups with Enzedex Eagle and said it was a thrill to train the quinella in front of a packed crowd at the provincial track on the NSW central coast.

"It's a race we've been around the mark in previous years and it's a race we've always targeted," Waller said.

"I can clearly remember the race being called off a couple of times or transferred and we had the favourite heading into the race and then never quite got there.

"Today to run first and second, it's something to be proud of."

Jockey Glyn Schofield has built up an impressive partnership with Hawk Island throughout the winter and gave the six-year-old a dream run.

"Without doubt there's better races in him," Schofield said.

"Chris has just transformed this horse from a horse who wasn't going all that well to a horse that's going extremely well and with further room for improvement.

"It's a pleasure to ride a horse like this who starts from nowhere and keeps progressing like he has."

The other feature race at the meeting saw the return of Group One winner Once Were Wild in the Listed Mona Lisa Stakes (1350m).

The AJC Australian Oaks winner was beaten a nose by Brasileira in a thrilling finish to the fillies and mares feature.