Underrated rider Paul Hammersley made the most of his opportunity when he lifted Falco Star to win the $100,000 Keith Noud Quality at Doomben on Saturday.Hammersley produced a perfect ride on Falco Star ($15) to score a head victory over the fast-finishing Funtantes ($4.60).Falco Star found the front halfway up the straight but Funtantes lunged in the last few bounds and would have won in another stride.In a blanket finish, Tamworth eight-year-old Ollie Vollie ($9) finished a short neck back thi

Underrated rider Paul Hammersley made the most of his opportunity when he lifted Falco Star to win the $100,000 Keith Noud Quality at Doomben on Saturday.

Hammersley produced a perfect ride on Falco Star ($15) to score a head victory over the fast-finishing Funtantes ($4.60).

Falco Star found the front halfway up the straight but Funtantes lunged in the last few bounds and would have won in another stride.

In a blanket finish, Tamworth eight-year-old Ollie Vollie ($9) finished a short neck back third, narrowly in front of a wall of horses.

A solid plunge on The Sixties ($4.60 to $3.30 fav) misfired and the Tracy Green-trained gelding finished sixth but less than a length from the winner.

Winning trainer Liam Birchley said he was confident Falco Star would be in the finish and revealed syndicate manager Michael Young secured 100-1 on race morning after a betting shop employee made an error when posting the market.

"His run last start behind Temple Of Boom in Melbourne was good and I knew he'd race well," Birchley said.

"I would have been more confident had the race been at Eagle Farm but I was confident if the speed was on he'd be in the finish.

"Paul rode him perfectly and he's been doing a bit of riding for me. He's an underrated jockey but he's a very good rider."

Funtantes' rider Jim Byrne said the mare should have won.

"She got blocked at the top of the straight and flew late, one more stride and she wins," he said.

Earlier, a relationship formed 20 years ago in Victoria took another twist when improving galloper Craigellachie scored an upset win in the Hardings Hardware Handicap (1350m).

Craigellachie is trained by Kelly Doughty and raced by long-term stable clients Peter and Brenda Breen.

Doughty's husband, former jockey Gary, rode his first winner for the Breens on Century Rising at Kyneton back in 1991 and Craigellachie was the 58th winner he has been involved with for them since.

"We worked out after this horse won last start that between Kelly training and me riding we have had 58 winners for Peter and Brenda," he said.

Judging by the way Craigellachie hit the line, the partnership is set for much more success.

Starting a $26 outsider, Craigellachie stormed to the line to beat Steel Dragon ($5) by a length with Altai Warrior ($2.40 fav) a long neck back third.

Winning rider Ric McMahon said he was confident Craigellachie had his rivals covered well before the turn.

"He towed me into the race at the 600 metres," McMahon said.

"Although I had been three deep all the way he always had cover and he picked the bit up before the turn and put himself into the race.

"He wanted to stargaze and loaf when he got to the front and he has the makings of a really nice horse."