Chris Waller thought his chances of winning the ATC Cup were dashed when his top seed was scratched on the way to the barriers before barn mate Bonny Ezra surprised the stable and punters, coming with a late surge to score.

Waller regarded New Mandate as his leading hope but the horse was withdrawn on vets’ advice after dislodging jockey Kerrin Mcevoy on the way to the gates.

It left the champion trainer with four runners and at $31, Bonny Ezra was regarded as the roughest.

“We liked New Mandate and then I thought the stablemate Aleas had the race won,” Waller said.

“And then along comes ‘Bonny’.

“It was a good race and a good-sized field and that’s what can happen, with a big field there is a bit more pressure and it just helps them finish off.”

Partnered by Robbie Dolan , who combines riding with his burgeoning singing career, Bonny Ezra was snagged back from an outside draw and had to weave his way between runners in the straight.

Dolan was able to find a passage through and the gelding hit the line resolutely to nail Dr Drill ($8.50) by a short neck with Aleas($14) another head away in third.

Bonny Ezra had performed well in two lead-up runs without placing but Waller admitted he thought the horse might have been better on rain-affected tracks.

“He had very good form in the winter and I was questioning whether it was just wet track form so it was a bit of a surprise,” Waller said.

“But he certainly showed he was capable of winning decent races last preparation.

“The Christmas Cup in two weeks over 2400 will suit him perfectly.”

Waller said New Mandate was likely to head to the $2 million Ingham Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on the same program after missing a run on Saturday, while stablemate Longvillers, a race morning scratching from the Listed race due to the firm track, would also head to the Ingham.

Bonny Ezra gave Waller his fifth win in the Listed ATC Cup (2000m) since 2015 and he has claimed the past two editions in a row with Polly Grey Polly Grey successful 12 months ago.