A refreshed Gai Waterhouse has marked her return from a European holiday with victory by Pitcrew at Warwick Farm in a photo finish that had many fooled.

The two-year-old got up on the outside after looking beaten to get the decision over Meteoros by a nose in the 1400m race for two-year-olds.

Joe Pride, trainer of the runner-up, and his jockey Christian Reith took a close look at the photo which showed Meteoros' rump in front but Pitcrew's nose came down where it counted.

It was the third successive win for Pitcrew who will now be set for the $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on September 14.

"I had a lovely time overseas and it's great to be back refreshed and ready for the spring," Waterhouse said.

"This is a very exciting horse.

"He lost his action in the middle stages and I think he has become a bit dour and lost his ping.

"I think he can measure up and he will go to the Golden Rose although with horses racing at this time of year it's hard to line them up."

Pitcrew is from the first crop of Sebring who Waterhouse trained to win the 2008 Golden Slipper out of Pine Away, the dam of Group One winner Absolut Glam.