Hazelwood North hobby trainer and former jockey Gavin Burke won his first group race when taking out tonight’s $67,000 Group 2 Topcat Video Traralgon Cup (525m) with Pantera Nera.

Burke, a regular at Traralgon, was ecstatic as Pantera Nera led all the way at the huge odds of $14.00, keeping the fast-finishing Demon Bale and Eren Bale (both trained by Blake Shillington) at bay.

“It is the first time I have had a runner in a group race and I was so nervous when I was standing behind the boxes before the race,” said Burke, who took a redundancy package last week from his full-time position as a Sales Rep.

“It was great competition tonight and I couldn’t be happier because we paid quite bit of money for Pantera Nera, but it’s been worth it. We’re a small kennel with only seven dogs so this is very satisfying.”

Pantera Nera notched his 13th win from 28 starts after clocking the time of 30.189sec.

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WATCH: Pantera Nera wins the Topcat Video Traralgon Cup.

Pantera Nera leads the field first time past the post.

Pantera Nera (6) beats home Demon Bale.

The head on photo shows it was a tight finish in the 2016 Traralgon Cup.

Gavin Burke and wife Leanne embrace after their Traralgon Cup win.

Pantera Nera with Gavin and Leanne Burke and the prized Traralgon Cup.

Pantera Nera is a happy pup after winning the Traralgon Cup. Pics by Clint Anderson.

Earlier in the night, top class stayer Lithgow Panther (Robert Britton) was simply superb when delivering a commanding last-to-first victory in the $10,000 Traralgon Cup Consolation (525m) after gaining a start as the first reserve.

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WATCH: Lithgow Panther (9) comes from last to win the Traralgon Cup Consolation.

Two other substantial features were run on the night, with Dr. Melezar (Bill McMahon) winning the $10,710 GRV Vic Bred Maiden Final (525m), and Allen Membo (Robert Britton) snaring the $10,000 Life Members Cup (595m).

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WATCH: Allen Membo (5) wins the Life Members Cup in 34.556sec.

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Watch: Dr. Melezar (2) leads all the way in the Vic Bred Maiden Final (525m).

2016 Traralgon Cup Gallery