Diwali delivered a sentimental win for racegoers at Sandown on Sunday by taking out the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m), a race steeped in tradition and moved from its usual spring date.

With the Australian Hurdle and Steeplechase headlining the program, the Gavin Bedggood-trained stayer brought back memories of a namesake Diwali who won the 1982 Australian Steeplechase under Rick Hore-Lacy.

Diwali, sent out at $10, was ridden to perfection by Joe Bowditch and charged clear to defeat Through Irish Eyes ($2.80), the favourite on betting sites, by 2-¾ lengths. Alma Rise ($3.50) filled third.

“He had been running well over a mile-and-a-half and this race was there,” Bedggood explained.

“We thought it would be full of horses from the Andrew Ramsden and a few jumpers, but we were untried at the distance.

“We thought with the right run, it was worth a try.”

Diwali’s rise through the grades has been steady. He claimed a Moe benchmark 58 on April 25, then followed it with a fourth at Caulfield and a runner-up placing at Sandown.

Bedggood now has his sights set on the Deane Lester Flemington Cup (2800m) in July.

“We’ll probably send him to the beach tomorrow and give him a week to freshen up a little bit and then look for a 2500-metre run in between,” he said.

“We might go three weeks, three weeks into that race and use it as our final.”

Bowditch was beaming after guiding Diwali to the win.

“Can’t this bloke train a racehorse,” Bowditch laughed.

“I wouldn’t put anything past Gavin. I won a benchmark 58 on him three starts back and I wouldn’t say he was impressive enough to be here.

“But Gav’s a pretty good trainer, especially how he’s got him to settle and run the trip.”