Patrick Scorse rode the Kalaru-trained Mercurial Lad to victory in heavy conditions on the course after Saturday showers

Meanwhile, defending champion Theresa Bateup had to settle for second with Golly I'm Lucky making good ground in the damp conditions, while last year's winner Monegal finished mid-pack.

After securing four wins recently at the Tathra Cup, Bateup's stables enjoyed more success with two wins over the two-day carnival and some strong placings.

Speaking ahead of the main draw on Sunday, Bateup said Sapphire had quickly become her favourite circuit.

"I love this place, it's my favourite track," she said.

"I love bringing my horses down here, they all race well - it's such a lovely big track and every horse gets their chance."

Club Legend jockeyed by Brock Ryan secured the win for Bateup in race two on Saturday following an afternoon deluge.

While on Sunday afternoon it was Jess Taylor getting the early result after riding Magico Hombre to a narrow win from the Natalie Jarvis-trained Tornac.

"The horse that just won I thought was my best chance for the weekend," Bateup shared, adding the weather was mixed benefit to her stables.

"The one that won yesterday just loves a wet track, it suited him," she said with a laugh.

"It suits some of mine and doesn't suit others - [Defending Bega Cup champion] Monegal sort of handles anything, but Golly I'm Lucky, he's probably more effective on the softer and heavy tracks," Bateup said, almost clairvoyantly of the headline result.

The Sapphire-stabled Barbara Joseph and Paul Jones racing team enjoyed three wins and some places over the weekend with Mercurial Lad securing the major purse for the weekend.

Club secretary manager Rob Tweedie commended both trainers, saying they had even traded results over the weekend, including winning each others' namesake races.

Visiting trainers Terry Robinson and Richard Laming also enjoyed some strong contenders with two and three wins respectively on Saturday.

More than 500 had signed in early on Sunday with officials pleased with strong crowd numbers to enjoy some spectacularly close racing on track.

Sunday featured a few photo finishes and Bateup praised officials efforts from the weekend.

"It's such a great club, they do a great job, there should be more racing held down here, but it's good to see people getting behind and supporting them," she said. "The competition is good, it makes you keep raising the bar."