Gai Waterhouse made a triumphant return to Sydney racing after her annual European holiday to serve notice she was still a force to be reckoned with.

In her absence, premier trainer Chris Waller passed the Sydney record for the number of wins in a season, previously held jointly by Waterhouse and her father TJ Smith.

Waller left Warwick Farm with one winner while Waterhouse came away with three including a points decision when Masahiko was awarded the Mitsubishi Mirage Mile after a protest by Tim Clark against Nash Rawiller who rode Clever Boy.

Rawiller, who is the No.1 rider for Waterhouse, did his bit for the opposition when he rode the Waller-trained Madam Nash to victory to slice into Hugh Bowman's premiership lead.

Waterhouse's other winners were Pitcrew in the 1400m race for two-year-olds and Charing Cross who took out the 1600m benchmark 89.

"It's great to be back refreshed and ready for the spring," Waterhouse said.

"Pitcrew is an exciting horse and the Masahiko and Charing Cross are both raced by Star Thoroughbreds so they've had a good day.

"Charing Cross came here in a good mood so I could tell he was going to run a good race.

"He can be very cranky but today nothing bothered him."

Waller asserted himself on this season's premiership in the early months and has trained more than double that of Waterhouse or Peter Snowden.

But he is not resting on his laurels.

"It's great having Gai back," he said.

"She has made me a better trainer."

Rawiller began the day 7-1/2 wins behind Hugh Bowman in the race for the jockeys' title with Bowman also returning from a holiday in Europe.

He pared that back to 4-1/2 with a treble that could have been four had he not lost the protest but Bowman hit back with victory on Upshot in the final race.

"It's been a long day watching Nash chewing them over," Bowman said.