Teaching a horse how to race is one thing, teaching it how to win is another.

And it is exactly the challenge trainer Gai Waterhouse accepted when she took over the training of Knight Exemplar.

The entire had been placed at Group Two level and finished a fine fourth in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring but he came to Waterhouse a maiden after seven starts.

His win in Wednesday's Become An ATC Sponsor Handicap (1100m) was his second from two runs for his new trainer, although it is clear Knight Exemplar remains a work in progress.

Starting $1.50 favourite, the four-year-old appeared set for a comfortable victory when he shot to the front halfway up the straight.

But he quickly began to toil under his 59kg topweight, eventually scrambling to a head victory over Kordanoro.

Waterhouse's stable representative Mark Newnham was unperturbed by the narrow margin and said teaching Knight Exemplar winning habits was an process.

"As long as he gets his head in front on the line I don't care how he does it," Newnham said.

"He's always had ability and it's probably just a matter of teaching him to win. He has had two runs for the stable now and won both."

Knight Exemplar was among nominations for the Cox Plate when they were released on Tuesday.

However, Newnham said the stable would take the four-year-old's program one race at a time.

"All those entries have to be in so far out," Newnham said.

"He does have some form in some good races."

Winning jockey Tommy Berry suggested a gear change might be in order for Knight Exemplar.

"We all know he's got plenty of ability but he's still got a few tricks up his sleeve," Berry said.

"A set of blinkers, I think, will benefit him in the future."