QUIRKY six-year-old Clangoranda dug into his bag of tricks to deliver connections a long-awaited return to the winner's list in yesterday's Pacific Seeds/Pursehouse Rural Benchmark 60 Clifton Cup (1580m).

Clangoranda ($11) notched his first win for more than two years - and only his third from 55 starts - with a fighting effort.

The gelding out-gunned fellow Beaudesert visitor Chilli Beach ($5) over the final 150 metres for jockey Sheree Drake to score by a short neck.

Clangoranda's victory overshadowed a brave effort from apprentice Stephanie Lacy aboard Chilli Beach who battled through the pain of a mouth injury suffered in a barrier incident before going down narrowly in a driving race finish.

Red Bohemia ($11) completed a hat-trick of Beaudesert placings after finishing 4 1/2 lengths back third.

Clangoranda had notched 18 minor placings for trainer Greg Cornish prior to pulling out his best yesterday for Drake.

"He's got ability but there's a bit of a trick to riding him," Drake explained

"He's one of those horses who wants to pretend some times he's in charge and you have to kid to him a bit.

"But he was prepared to compete and he fought on really strongly."

Earlier Oakey trainer Patrick Sexton made a flying start to the meeting played out in front of a large cup-day crowd.

Sexton won the opening two races with Kavalong (Gary Geran) and Squeemi (Jedidiah Hodge).

Kavalong ($5) scored a four-length win for her owners and long-time Sexton stable supporters Leo and Beatrice McIntosh in the Emerald Grains Class B Handicap (1000m).

Squeemi ($5) posted a career first when she captured her first win beyond 1000 metres with a game long-neck win over Reddamour ($5) in the Agrifood Benchmark 65 Handicap (1100m).

"I thought if ever she's going to run 1100 metres she'd do here at this track," Sexton said.

"She really tries hard and she deserved that win."