A nervous Joshua Parr had to survive a protest before he could celebrate his first Group One victory on Skilled in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.Parr said it was a "beautiful day" when he returned to scale on the Peter Snowden-trained colt after defeating Sasa by a head in the 1600m two-year-old feature.But his celebrations were cut short when Tye Angland fired in a protest on the Tim Martin-trained runner-up, alleging interference shortly after the start.Angland argued that Parr had squeezed

A nervous Joshua Parr had to survive a protest before he could celebrate his first Group One victory on Skilled in the Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

Parr said it was a "beautiful day" when he returned to scale on the Peter Snowden-trained colt after defeating Sasa by a head in the 1600m two-year-old feature.

But his celebrations were cut short when Tye Angland fired in a protest on the Tim Martin-trained runner-up, alleging interference shortly after the start.

Angland argued that Parr had squeezed his mount up in the early stages, causing Sasa to lose the position he felt the filly was entitled to.

Sasa ($8) ended up racing three wide and was claimed in the concluding stages by Skilled ($10), who raced just behind the leaders.

After deliberation, and plenty of nervous moments for Parr, chief steward Ray Murrihy said stewards couldn't be satisfied the interference at the 1400m mark was the difference between winning and losing and dismissed the protest.

It left Parr to celebrate.

"My heart is beating so fast," the 23-year-old jockey said.

"They made me stretch it out, but this is amazing."

Parr went close to claiming his first Group One two weeks ago when Skilled was beaten in a photo-finish in the Sires' Produce Stakes by Yosei.

A proud Snowden said the jockey wasn't going to be denied again.

"I don't think Josh was going to get beaten today," Snowden said.

"He was determined to win and full credit to him and the horse."

Snowden has been a big supporter of Parr, who transferred to him for the last six months of his apprenticeship.

Snowden has made the young jockey earn his opportunities but said there was no-one prouder to see him and Skilled claim the breakthrough victory.

Parr was quick to thank Sydney's leading trainer for the role he's played in his career.

"I'm speechless, what a great thrill," Parr said.

"Peter has put me in the right direction. He's put me on the horses and he's given this to me. I can't be appreciative enough of him and his family.

"Last start (in the Sires) we got left in front and he had to cart the field up which didn't suit him at all.

"Today we got the drag and it just showed his class off the back of a nice tempo."

The win was also a welcome relief for Snowden who has had a frustrating carnival so far.

The Snowden-trained Divorces ($15) also ran home gamely to finish a neck behind Sasa in third place.

"We've been hitting around the mark for the past four weeks so it was great to get one," Snowden said.

Martin is hoping Sasa, who turned in a big performance for second, can be an Oaks filly in the spring.

"She was very green and got on the wrong leg," Martin said.

"She's learned a lot from this preparation."

Favourite Beneteau, who started at $4.60, finished sixth.

"He's been up for a while and he might have come to the end of it," jockey Michael Rodd said.