Kathy O'Hara has claimed a rare feat for a female jockey, winning a stakes race for Sheikh Mohammed's Darley operation on Quidnunc in the Listed Nivison at Randwick.

Although O'Hara has ridden winners in the maroon and white on the group of horses Guy Walter trains for the sheikh, on Saturday it was a first black-type success for Darley's No.1 trainer in Australia, Peter Snowden.

"It's a pleasure and an honour that Peter is willing to put me on," O'Hara said.

"I've ridden winners in these colours for Guy but not a stakes win for the main man.

"It's great to be trusted to get the job done."

Get the job done she did, bringing Quidnunc ($17) with a late run to collar race leader Capital Commander ($61) to win the 1200m race by a nose.

Alberton Park ($12) was a length third with favourite Emotional Circus ($3.90) failing to show her usual finishing dash and finishing 10th of the 14 runners.

Snowden has earmarked the Listed Skin Fitness Stakes (1300m) at Hawkesbury on November 8 for Quidnunc.

With many of Sydney's riders in Melbourne for Caulfield Cup day, Snowden's usual pool of jockeys was dry and he was happy to get O'Hara.

"She might get more rides now," he said.

"Seriously, she rides very well as her record shows."

O'Hara said Quidnunc's fighting qualities had surprised her.

"I thought she would fall in a hole but she really lifted the last 50 metres," she said.

"It was a very good win."

AAP TUR