Ratcliff’s horse held on to win the 900m feature race of the day and collect the $64,000 winner’s cheque.

After the barriers opened Langfibian, ridden by Port Macquarie apprentice jockey Robert Agnew, headed to the inside of the track.

The inside running had been avoided all day because of the heavy rain.

But the move worked with the seven-year-old mare winning by half a length - at good odds.

“The outside was terrible, like a ploughed paddock. When I found myself closer to the fence I thought ‘why not stay here’ and it worked out beautifully,” Agnew said.

Langfibian ($31) defied all challengers in the straight to hang on and beat Azzaland ($3.50) and favourite Keen Commander ($1.70).

“My phone hasn’t stopped for two days and the answering machine at home had about 30 messages congratulating me on the win.”

“I’ve had wonderful support over the years, none better than my staff,” Mr Ratcliff said.

Mr Ratcliff - known as Redback - bought Langfibian for $5000 out of a savings account he and wife Lesley had saved to travel to Ireland to see their daughter.

“Lesley asked where the $5000 had gone to and I told her it was in stable one,” he said yesterday.

Locals here were then offered part shares in Langfibian, but no one was interested in taking a gamble on her.

“The opportunity was there but I had not one taker,” Mr Ratcliff said.

“She won locally before we left for Ireland and twice while we were away.”

Langfibian’s career prize money now jumps to $140,000 with 18 wins, 13 seconds, 8 thirds and 23 fourths.

Mr Ratcliff was thinking about retiring his champion runner before the feature race.

“I took her to Sydney for two 1100m races and she was lumped with heavy weights,” he said.

“She led for 1000m but got caught both times with 100m to go.”

Then Mr Ratcliff found the Bat Out Of Hell 900m race which suited Langfibian perfectly.

“She’s a champion in my eyes. She’s like a spoilt kid, but gee she can gallop,” he said.

Mr Ratcliff also had Little Hughie in the same race. He finished seventh, while Casino Bob ran strongly to finish sixth in the race before.

Langfibian paid $31 in Queensland and $22 in NSW for the win - and Ratcliff collected big time from one bookmaker who offered him $40 the win.