As the rain came down at the Bathurst track Emperor Shacoby ($2.60 favourite) did just enough to hold off Oscar Winner ($2.70) by two metres in the Racing This Friday Night Stakes (450 metres).

Emperor Shacoby got away well from the inside box but Windsor Vella was able to match him out of box six.

Another strong starter, Katie Taro, was squeezed out of the running by the leading pair on the opening turn and took a rough tumble out the back of the pack.

When the dust settled Emperor Shacoby pulled away to a two length lead over Windsor Vella across the back straight.

River briefly held third place a further two lengths away but Oscar Winner was making amends for his average start, blasting by along the rail to make a charge towards Windsor Vella.

Oscar Winner got into second on the home straight but had too much ground to make up on the leader. Emperor Shacoby won in a time of 26.09 seconds.

Windsor Vella ($13.30) finished third.

Darren Northey, son of winning trainer Terrence, hopes there’s more great results to come.

“That’s probably the box he loves most but he’s only had it twice,” he said.

“He’s only just turned three and he’s probably at his prime right now. We had trouble with him when he was young, with a few injuries. He’s coming along well now.