Afamiliar face was leading the way once again at Allan Scott Glenburnie Racecourse where thoroughbred racing resumed last Wednesday.

After winning the 2022 Scott Group of Companies Mount Gambier Gold Cup, Clever Man returned to the Glenburnie venue and enjoyed more success.

This time it was the Scott Group of Companies Benchmark 72 Handicap, which doubled as Heat 11 of the Provincial Super Series and there was no catching the five-year-old Gelding.

The Trevor White-trained horse continued its golden form by crushing the opposition in the opening race of the mid-week meeting.

After heading down the back straight as the back marker, Clever Man made a charge on the exit of the final corner and it was over in the blink of an eye.

The horse won by eight lengths and left the field for dust with Brigadier and Aeroette making up the minor placings.

Café Rizu entered the race with high hopes as the favourite, but struggled in the cat and mouse race finishing fourth and last in a heavily depleted field.

A much stronger field of 10 horses gathered in the gates for the City of Mount Gambier Maiden Plate.

As the race went on it became a two-horse race with Five Foot Eight and Mardene making the dash to the line.

Mardene appeared to be in the box seat enjoying a decent lead out of the final bend, but Five Foot Eight put the afterburners on and stole the win by just 0.4 lengths moments before the finish.

The third and fourth races of the day were short 912m sprints where the favourites had some fun.

In the Grizzcon Concrete Construction Maiden Plate, Tequila Storm managed to gap the tight chasing pack and take home the win followed by Freedom Day and Detnaw.

Desert Spirit appeared to be on course for victory, but was outrun by Colliver and Hello Ladies, who swooped on the outside.

In the end favourite Hello Ladies won by more than a length from Desert Spirit.