Tears flowed freely as a large gathering of the Ingham clan saluted the horse and an ailing Jack Ingham who watched the race from his sickbed at home.

Ingham has endured a long illness but son Ben said he was sure Lonhro's win would provide a welcome respite.

"This is a day of mixed emotions but we're all hoping Dad will be back here at the races in a couple of weeks," Ingham said.

"He's watching at home and we're all hoping he picks up. I know he'll get a kick out of it."

The star son of the Inghams' best-ever horse Octagonal, Lonhro had lost some of his gloss after failing in the Doncaster Handicap but was back on his game in today's 2000m feature to record his fifth Group One win of the season and throw out the challenge to Northerly to be named Horse of the Year.

Stablemate Freemason took up the running early after Platinum Scissors jumped straight to the front and attempted to slow the pace.

In the straight, Darren Beadman hooked Lonhro out wide and the four-year-old picked up the bit and cruised to the front.

Beadman gave him a dig at the 150m then the horse did the rest, striding out to put 1-1/4 lengths on swooper Pentastic with Republic Lass a short neck away third.

"He's the perfect racehorse and gives himself every chance," Beadman said.

"I've ridden some great horses like Saintly and Octagonal and he's right up there with them."

Trainer John Hawkes' foreman Peter Snowden said Lonhro would now be given a break before being prepared for the Melbourne spring.

"This is a special day, he's a special horse and this is the first time we've ever won this race," Snowden said.

"It's a testing day and I just hope Jack will take some heart from it.

"Lonhro has done a great job this autumn. Although he won his races easily it does take it out of a horse.

"He broke records before the Doncaster and it leaves them empty. On the day of the Doncaster he just wasn't good enough but it's fantastic to see him back to his best today.

"He'll head to the paddock, he's done enough."

A December foal, Lonhro was the last born of Octagonal's first southern hemisphere crop and now has the imposing record of 18 wins and three placings from his 25 starts.

Republic Lass, who beat Northerly in the Ranvet Stakes, is also likely to head to the paddock for a rest while Pentastic will be set for the Melbourne Cup in November.

Grand warrior Freemason, who claimed Northerly's scalp in the BMW and finished fourth today, will head to Brisbane for the Doomben Cup in a fortnight.

Story by AAP (Carol Williamson)