Sydney autumn racing and Gai Waterhouse go hand in hand and the premier trainer pulled off a masterstroke with Theseo taking out the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes in a thriller from Rangirangdoo.The multiple Group One winner missed the spring through injury but showed his courage when he fought back after being headed to win the first major race of the carnival.Nash Rawiller was back aboard one of his favourite horses and was almost lost for words."He is just so tough," Rawiller said."The oth

Sydney autumn racing and Gai Waterhouse go hand in hand and the premier trainer pulled off a masterstroke with Theseo taking out the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes in a thriller from Rangirangdoo.

The multiple Group One winner missed the spring through injury but showed his courage when he fought back after being headed to win the first major race of the carnival.

Nash Rawiller was back aboard one of his favourite horses and was almost lost for words.

"He is just so tough," Rawiller said.

"The other horse (Rangirangdoo) was in front for a stride but my horse truly is a war horse.

"I can't say enough about him and it's all credit to Gai for getting him here."

The Chipping Norton returned to Warwick Farm for the first time in three years and almost 10,000 people showed their support for racing in Sydney's south west.

Heavy rain fell overnight but sunny skies on race morning ensured a track upgrade from a heavy (8) to a slow (6) by the time the Chipping Norton (1600m) was run.

Rangirangdoo was sent out the $2.70 favourite and tracked up behind race leader Theseo ($7) and Rock Kingdom ($13).

Tim Clark took Rangirangdoo to the inside in the straight and wore away at Theseo to take the lead inside the 100 metres.

But Theseo wasn't done with and loomed again to win the fight by a half-head, the same margin Rangirangdoo went down by when beaten by Rock Kingdom in the Epsom Handicap.

Waterhouse was at the ill-fated Flemington meeting on Saturday but Theseo's band of supporters from Star Thoroughbreds were out in force.

Syndicator Denise Martin paid tribute to her trainer.

"Gai said he could win but I thought he might not be ready until the Ranvet Stakes," Martin said.

"Gai was right again.

"This horse has such a big heart, it's fantastic to see him back."

Rangirangdoo's Chris Waller-trained stablemate Danleigh made ground from well back to claim third but stewards questioned rider Hugh Bowman about his tactics.

Bowman said he was following instructions to have the horse further back than he was wide and then he didn't get the run he wanted.

Alcopop, Palacio De Cristal and Mentality were withdrawn on race morning but the 11-horse field still boasted nine Group One winners.

The Australian Jockey Club (AJC) was thrilled with the day and the crowd of 9708 boosted by support from local businesses.

"We're very pleased," AJC acting chief executive Darren Pearce said.

"It gives us a great foundation to build on for the future.

"And we've sold over 350 family memberships on the first day of launching it which shows there's a market out in Sydney's south west."