The win completed a double for Lewis, who had been successful earlier with Flaming Roadstar.

Part-owned and trained at Banjup by Annie Belton, Christmas Stockings was a 7/1 chance in a race in which Awesome Achiever was favourite at 6/4 on at his first appearance after a spell.

Serial Pest (4/1) was smartest into stride from barrier two, with Lewis quite content to take the trail with the son of Live Or Die.

"Everything worked out well," Lewis said. "There was pressure up front and we were just off that pressure."

Awesome Achiever started from the outside barrier and Gary Hall jun. eased him back to last before sending the four-year-old forward with 1300m to travel. Awesome Achiever moved into third place at the bell and retained that position down the back straight before he began to fade at the 400m post.

With nothing on his outside, Callan Suvaljko dashed Serial Pest away approaching the bell in a bid to open up a winning break on Christmas Stockings. However, Christmas Stockings had enjoyed such a soft trip that he was able to issue his challenge on the home turn before dashing to the front in the final 50m.

Ken Casellas