Starting off the pole in the $20,000 feature, Strident, under Lang's vigorous urgings, was able to maintain the inside running in the scamper to the first turn.

The eight-year-old then had to survive some mid-race pressure from the Noel Shinn-driven outsider Art Trader.

Going down the back straight Tsunami Lombo, who had settled midfield in the running line, was switched three-wide by Geoff Webster and issued his challenge.

The second last quarter was covered in a bristling 28.6 seconds as the leading pair singled out from the rest of the field.

In a dong-dong battle in the home straight Strident held on to win by a half neck from the gallant Tsunami Lombo with Unojoe (Lisa Miles) a further 2.7 metres away third.

The mile rate for the 2100 metres mobile was 1:58.9 - the last half in 57.2.

Strident, who completed his eighth win from just 14 starts, is prepared at Elmore (near Bendigo) by Jenny Johnson, the partner of Graeme Johanessen who was associated with the trotting standout True Roman in an earlier decade.

Bred by Calvin Beaton, Strident is a gelding by What's Next from a former Albion Park Mare of the Year, New Arrival 1:58.2 (by Fast Knight). From 11 foals of racing age, New Arrival has left nine winners, of which seven have taken records of 2:00 or better including a top pacer in It Is I 1:56.4 ($208,575).

By Peter Wharton