Just like Michelle Payne and Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance, Samantha Clenton and six-year-old Nevagotavote are a formidable combination.

So much so, they teamed up for their eighth win in the Happy 60th Birthday Lindsay Murphy Handicap at Canterbury on Saturday.

Equal second pick at $3.50, Nevagotavote led for most of the way before holding out the favourite Sebrina ($3), with horse and jockey earning praise from trainer Jason Deamer.

"They get on so well together, they're a great pair," Deamer said.

Clenton said Nevagotavote could often "be a bit funny" despite their bond.

"He's a quirky horse but he's worth his quirks," she said.

Rule The River might be lightly raced but she had enough fitness on her side to outclass her opposition in the De Bortoli Wines Handicap.

First-up since January and in only her fourth start, Rule The River ($5.50) was too strong for Festivity ($4.60) and Magnajoy ($9).

Stable foreman Edward Cummings said he and father Anthony had always thought the mare had class and they were just waiting for her to mature.

"We've always been mindful of giving her the time to reach her potential," Cummings said.