He got what he wanted when Birdy's ($3.90) late lunge on the line saw her take out the Harvest Cafe 'N' Store 'Ida Traill' Cup F&M Maiden (1,200 metres) over Time Immemorial ($8).

Jockey Christian Reith timed his sprint to perfection on board the three-year-old Dawn Approach filly, taking her to a win by a head.

"It was good to see her bounce back. She got the perfect run," Widdup said.

"We struck a really good field that day at Hawkesbury. They ran really quick and she was out of her comfort zone. She had the good barrier today, bounced in a good spot and got out at the right time.

"I think she'll get out further. She's still got a bit to go, and might end up getting out to the mile and maybe blinkers but it's just great to see her get that first win today."

Chad Lever got to work early on Time Immemorial and pushed his mare into an early one length lead.

Reith used the inside barrier well to take a comfortable sit behind the leader.

Giovanina sat close to the leader's outside before Missile Rain was urged around the outside of the field by Greg Ryan to take a place next to Time Immemorial.

Time Immemorial led the field into the turn for home with Missile Rain working hard to stay in touch.

As Missile Rain drifted a little it allowed Reith to charge ahead on Birdy, coming along the outside of Time Immemorial at the 100m.

On The Floor stayed within reach of the leader with her rails run but the same couldn't be said for favourite Buba ($3.70), whose outside charge wasn't going to be enough.

When On The Floor drifted away from the leading pair it became a race of two for the closing strides.

Birdy had enough power to get her head in front of Time Immemorial and claim her first win in the $30,000 showcase event.

On The Floor paid $41 for third, and finished two lengths away from Time Immemorial.

Buba was a further half length away in fourth.

Missile Rain showed promise at the top of the straight but faded from the final sprint to come home in fifth.

The result was a welcome hit back for Birdy after she was ninth in her previous attempt at Hawkesbury and had the same result on debut at Warwick Farm.

She made the step up to 1,200m after making her opening two career starts over 1,000m and 1,100m.