Vella first trained at Bathurst in 2016, after moving from the Hawkesbury after a decade at the Western Sydney track, where he has since returned to.

Whitchety Grub was Vella's only starter at Bathurst and he finished just ahead of First Fleet ($21) to win the opener at the seven-race meeting.

Vella said the conditions weren't probably the best for his three-year-old chestnut filly, but was still happy with the win.

"I personally think she's a bit better than that," he said.

"I don't think she liked the heavy track but she's probably a bit classy for them, which is good.

"Hopefully she can find a weak class 1 somewhere. She'll go on with it."

The filly started from barrier three and got away to a solid start, trailing Jay'N'Jay ($3.90) in second in the opening few hundred metres.

Jockey Mitchell Bell was happy to sit Whitchety Grub behind the leader until the right opportunity presented itself and it appeared in the home straight.

It was a cracking finish, with Jay'N'Jay falling away and Whitchety Grub pulling ahead, but First Fleet put in a massive effort in the final 100 metres to get within 0.39 metres of the winning filly.

Had the race gone on for another 100 metres, First Fleet may have caught the winner, but alas, it was not to be.