The locals have celebrated victory in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup with the Jason Attard-trained Sons Of John a dominant winner under Jeff Penza.

The Group Three race over 1600 metres was rescheduled to Sunday after last month's wash-out of Hawkesbury's showcase meeting.

Punters rallied to Sons Of John, backing him from $7 to $4.60 favouritism and they had little cause for concern with the gelding a 2-1/2 length winner over Tales Of Grimm ($5) with Rugged Cross ($7.50) another short neck third.

It was a first Group win for the experienced Penza who gave an uncharacteristic wave of the whip with the post in sight.

Sons Of John went to the race off a win in a Benchmark 75 win over 1800 metres at a Randwick midweek meeting.

"We skipped a few grades and he was well entitled to do it after winning like he does and it's a great thrill to win the Hawkesbury Cup," Attard told Sky Thoroughbred Racing.

"Wow! In the tie-up stalls before the race it was like Black Caviar was there.

"It's just great."