The horse Noel Mayfield-Smith believes can take him back to the Group One winners' list delivered on the first part of the bargain at Randwick on Saturday.

Famous Seamus claimed his first black-type win in the Listed Lightning Handicap in a course record 1:01.96 for the 1100 metres, the second short-course record of the day on the firm track.

It was also a first stakes success for jockey Robyn Freeman-Key who has ridden Famous Seamus in all his 11 starts which have yielded five wins.

His fifth win looked sure from certain halfway through the race with the favourite Famous Seamus ($4.20) worse than midfield.

But he responded to Freeman-Key and gathered in the leaders and held off Too Many Reds ($8) by a short half head with race leader Zaratone sticking on well for third, another half length away.

"We got a list of races and we'll sit down tonight and study it," Mayfield-Smith said.

"I keep saying he is a good, good horse and he really deserved that win.

"I thought he was in a bit of trouble but Robyn rode him a treat."

Mayfield-Smith rates 2000 Stradbroke Handicap winner Landsighting as the best horse he has trained and puts Famous Seamus second, above Group One winners In Top Swing and Angst.

Freeman-Key has ridden for Gai Waterhouse and other big-name trainers in Sydney but her loyalties now lie with Mayfield-Smith at Hawkesbury.

"It's my first stakes win," she said.

"I've worked hard with this horse. I'm there every fast morning, and I believe in the horse and the trainer, and the owners believe in me.

"I was a little bit worried when we straightened but he just fights.

"He's never gonna be a horse that wins by much but he puts his head out."