The in-form five-year-old, Scouting Wide ($5.50) proved himself as a genuine stayer when he held on to defeat his seven rivals in the 2400m test, after setting a rapid pace straight from the gates.

The Chris Waller-trained outsider Bright Mind ($21) was a neck back as runner-up, three lengths ahead of the favourite at $2.20, Bart Cummings’ Star Ripper in third.

Scouting Wide’s career record now stands at three wins from 11 career starts for over $180 000 in prizemoney.

Scouting Wide is by the legendary Cambridge sire, Zabeel who has now sired 122^nd stakes winners.

Eight quality races were conducted on the day and other wins included Zampara in race three, the Tony and Manera Lahood Handicap (2000m). The lightly raced seven-year-old gelding will now be aimed at the Group 3 Summer Cup (2400m) on Boxing Day where he might come up against Christmas Cup winner Scouting Wide.

2009 Christmas Cup Results:

His quartet of winners included brother and sister Pinwheel and Counterpane who claimed successive victories in the TAB Number 1 Club Handicap (1200m) and the www.theraces.com.au Handicap (1200m).

The result was Snowden’s second highest number of winners at a single race meeting, having previously trained five champions at the same raceday, but the brother and sister feat was a first.

Pinwheel, a four-year-old gelding, and Counterpane, a three-year-old filly, are by former racing great Lonhro out of Quilt.

Snowden also saw victory in the Gold Coast International Hotel Handicap (1200m) with Killian and in the Jim Beam Handicap (1200m) with his gifted mare Clothing.

The impressive Rosehill assault has rapidly improved Snowden’s stocks for the Sydney Trainers Premiership this season as his tally of wins now stands at 28, just five behind the leader Chris Waller. Snowden is looking to atone for his second place to Gai Waterhouse in last season’s premiership.

Race Results – Rosehill Gardens December 12: