Tim Clark has won the Grafton Cup at his first attempt with a polished display aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Queenstown.

In a finish dominated by Sydney's two biggest stables, Queenstown triumphed over the Chris Waller-trained Secessio with Brisbane galloper Noisy Ocean third.

The race was run at an almost farcical pace early but Clark didn't panic, tucking Queenstown in behind the speed.

Jason Collett aboard Hoylonny injected some pace when he made a mid-race move to go from last to first in a matter of strides but Queenstown quickly put paid to the leaders in the home straight, sprinting clear for an authoritative victory.

Clark, who served his early apprenticeship in NSW's Riverina district, was delighted to win another feature race on the country circuit.

While he had featured in Grafton's premier sprint race when runner-up aboard Captain Bax in the 2008 Ramornie Handicap, Queenstown was his first Grafton Cup ride.

"It's really nice to get back to the country carnivals where I plied my trade early on. To come back and win a country Cup is a big thrill," Clark said.

"In the straight when I exposed her she sprinted really well."

In a noteworthy training effort, Waterhouse had Queenstown primed for the 2350-metre Grafton Cup journey despite the mare having only two lead-up runs over 1400m and 1600m.

It was the Randwick trainer's second win in the Listed feature after the 2006 victory by Rocking On.

Clark made it a race-to-race double when he took out the Sir James Kirby Quality aboard Idle Chat for trainer Matthew Dunn.