Miles-based trainer Bevan Johnson stood by the winning stall when jockey Michael Cahill brought Hanover Square back to scale after their barnstorming win in the $125,000 event.

But it was Leonard Mawn whom Johnson suggested should take the bows.

Mawn had been in charge of Hanover Square as the gelding made a name for himself on country courses. But things changed for Mawn and Hanover Square changed camps.

"I was training him but when I got another job I gave him to Bevan and there's no better bloke you could give a horse to than him," Mawn said.

Nonetheless, Mawn retained a half-share in ownership of the gelding and he was smiling broadly when Hanover Square sailed home from the back of the field to score narrowly, if decisively.

"We've only had him since he won his last race at Barcaldine and Lenny deserves most of the credit," Johnson said.

"All we had to do was keep him going but he had a light weight, a good jockey and the horse has been flying lately."

With Cahill riding a patient race, Hanover Square ($17) settled well back with only Kahuna, Tycoon Zip and Kakakenny behind him after 400m.

He rounded the home bend in 10th spot before Cahill found a way to get Hanover Square to the outside and he flashed home late to collar the leaders inside the final 50m.

He beat the $3.30 favourite Deadly Choices, trained in Mt Isa by Damien Finter, by a neck with Marksfield ($14, Matt Kropp in Dalby) a long head away third.