A canny ride by an old hand on a forgiving track has given Peal Of Bells a decisive win in the Stayers Cup at Randwick to set up a trip to Brisbane.

Veteran Robert Thompson had the Gwenda Markwell-trained gelding in a relaxed mood as the lead changed several times in the early stages of the 3200m test.

Favourite Thubiaan ($5.50) assumed control of the pace in the second half of the race but Thompson had confidence in his mount and urged him forward in the straight.

As soon as he hit the front, Peal Of Bells ($6.50) picked up his rating and lengthened away to a 6-3/4 length win over Thubiaan with Piazza San Pietro ($8) sticking on well for third another three-quarters of a length away.

Vatuvei ($8) was pulled up by Josh Parr after his saddle slipped and failed to finish.

"Gwenda was very confident going into the race," Thompson said.

"The thing in two-mile races is to get them relaxed. It was a bit stop-start early but I just had him happy and comfortable.

"He was a lovely fit horse. Gwenda said he would win by ten (lengths) but he didn't need to."

Markwell said the Queensland Cup (3200m) on July 6 was a goal for Peal Of Bells who ran sixth in the 2012 Sydney Cup, just three lengths from the winner Niwot.

"He's been going as good as then if not better and he loves wet ground," Markwell said.

"I rode him the other morning and I thought he'd win by ten.

"I always wanted a senior rider. He's not a boy's horse.

"I waited to see who was available and snapped up Robert. He's a horseman."

Thompson, 55, holds the Australian riding record with more than 3870 winners.

Earlier, Glyn Schofield gave a different lesson in how to ride distance races when he took Madam Nash to a lead of around 15 lengths midway through the Alea Actuarial Handicap (2000m).

Madam Nash ($5) held on to beat Sweet Talkin Woman ($5.50) by three lengths with Schofield's rival jockeys given a talking to by stewards.

Most of those questioned said they believed the mare would come back to them but stewards told them to use more initiative.