Many expected Gwenda Markwell to train the winner of the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm but it was the lesser fancied of her two runners, Lang, who was able to claim the Listed feature.The Markwell-trained Agent Bauer ($3.20) was the new kid on the block and was sent out second favourite but it was the veteran Lang ($18) who got the better of his rivals to win by a length over Tide ($31) with Bid Spotter ($6) third.Lang's success was his first victory in just over three years - and only his f

Many expected Gwenda Markwell to train the winner of the Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm but it was the lesser fancied of her two runners, Lang, who was able to claim the Listed feature.

The Markwell-trained Agent Bauer ($3.20) was the new kid on the block and was sent out second favourite but it was the veteran Lang ($18) who got the better of his rivals to win by a length over Tide ($31) with Bid Spotter ($6) third.

Lang's success was his first victory in just over three years - and only his fourth from 62 starts - and delighted his trainer.

"It's great, I love this horse," Markwell said.

"He's my personal ride (at trackwork). He worked terrific on Saturday morning and his blood profile was great leading into this race.

"I've got a soft spot for him because he's a character. Today I thought he looked very well when he came into the mounting yard, I'd never seen him like that. He was like a two-year-old kid."

Agent Bauer led the field in the 2400m contest with Lang sitting outside him as they carved out solid sectionals in front.

Lang battled on strongly and denied the Guy Walter-trained Tide, who had made a run from back in the field and looked a winning hope for much of the straight.

The victory also held special significance for apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins who celebrated his first stakes success.

"It really suited him today being a real stayers' test," Lovelock-Wiggins said.

Favourite Strike One ($2.90) couldn't keep up for much of the race and was about six lengths off the second last horse going out of the straight the first time.

After tacking on midrace he was dropped again as they sprinted from the 700m mark, but then he worked home late to finish fifth.

Nash Rawiller, the rider of Strike One, told stewards his instructions and intentions were to race as handy as possible but the gelding just wouldn't respond early.

"It's not like him to race like that," Rawiller said.

Trainer Chris Waller was confident about Strike One's chances but said he raced like a two-miler.

Agent Bauer weakened to finish seventh in his first stakes test.

Earlier in the day, Umatilla filly Shared Reflections became the first two-year-old winner for trainer Gai Waterhouse this season when she took out the Outback Jacks Bar & Grill Restaurant Maiden Plate (1000m) on debut.

"I haven't had many two-year-olds to race so far," Waterhouse said.

"She's my first two-year-old winner for the season but there'll be plenty more to come."