The race was run at a cracking pace and with near perfect handicapping all the groups were within sight of the line in the last kilometre.

Peter Stockwell, Fred Enness and Alan Howard got the three-lap race underway with a 12-minute start.

The seven-minute group followed them with Wendy Aitken, Robert Minato, Albert Ravanello and Frank Signor.

The chopping block group consisted of Lyall Mumford, Dick Hore, Matt Nugan and Peter Budd, while the block riders had a five-minute handicap.

The scratch group had the victorious Paul Clancy in charge with Frank Mastrobattista, Rick Young and Steve Bertoldo for company.

The limit group was making good headway with Stockwell putting in some good turns.

The chopping block group was the real mover during the first lap with Mumford and Nugan putting in some big efforts, and as they crossed the line with two laps to race, they had picked up the seven-minute group and now were eight riders strong.

The scratch riders went through their first lap in a blistering 15 minutes to blow away any thoughts of an easy ride.

The limit group kept toiling at the front and still enjoyed a good lead going into the final lap.

The chopping block group though was now profiting from the superior numbers as each rider took their turn on the front.

The scratch riders had eased up to post a 15.20-minute second lap and still had plenty of chasing to do to catch the leaders.

Strong riding by the chopping block group along the back straight for the final time saw them make big inroads into the limit groups’ lead.

The hard pace however was starting to have an impact with Minato and Signor drifting off the back.

With 1.5km to the finish a strong turn by Ravanello had the chopping block group in the lead, while Nugan put in a fast turn before the final corner with Mumford on the front as they hit the finishing straight.

The scratch group, now down to just Clancy and Mastrobattista, were gaining quickly but the line was also fast approaching.

Mumford led the bunch along the straight and with 180 metres to the line Budd kicked for home, with Aitken on the wheel with Nugan also trying hard to get on even terms.

Budd looked to be dying but had enough lead to take the victory in his comeback ride. Nugan finished his sprint strongly to take second, while Aitken showed she could mix it with the boys to take a great third.

Clancy flashed across the line about 20 seconds later after another 15 minute lap to take fastest time.