Catherine Wilson patting her pride and joy Bulginbaah (Trudy Thornton) as she leads him back to scale after a huge win in today's feature. Photo: NZ Racing News. 

In fact if the voting for the award had taken place today the wonderful Wanganui galloper would have won hands down.

Bulginbaah was runner-up to Mufhasa in last year's award presented in Christchurch last Friday after sensation was caused when an overseas voter put through 181 invalid votes. As the regulations stated one vote per person the votes made by the woman on Bulginbaah were ruled out.

"Pity the award was after today," quipped Catherine Wilson as she proudly paraded Bulginbaah after a three-length and upwards dubbing of today's lineup.

"It's a shame he didn't win the People's Choice award but at least we've won this.

"It's such a thrill to get the 20th win with him. That's something Mr (Ken) Cropp really wanted."

Wilson and Cropp, who train Bulginbaah and race the nine-year-old in a four-way partnership, were obviously "gutted" over the outcome of the Mercedes People's Choice award, but have so many highlights with their pride and joy to recall.

And judging by the manner of Bulginbaah's win today further success looks on the cards for the son of Starjo.

Bulginbaah won his second Foxbridge Plate and he did it in a style contrast to his past performances. In fact his racing style totally surprised Wilson.

Bulginbaah usually jumps out well and is eased back in the running, but today Trudy Thornton, riding the horse for the first time, had the grand galloper tracking the pacemaker Richard Beymer.

"He's never been that handy before and I didn't know whether he would kick on," said Wilson.

"I was a bit worried."

But Thornton was quite the opposite, being quite confident as the field turned for home.

"I knew we had Richard Beymer covered and I just didn't want to go too soon on him (Bulginbaah)," said Thornton.

"When I asked him to go it was real push button stuff.

"He's got great speed and the ground really suited him."

Bulginbaah went into the event with a last-start sixth at New Plymouth to his credit and had been especially freshened for the 1200 metres of the Te Rapa feature.

But what Wilson experienced on racemorning had her a bit worried.

"He was a real mutt this morning," said Wilson.

"He was squealing and he even tried to front foot me and that's something he's never done before.

"He was so fresh."

Bulginbaah raced away to a three-length win while Richard Beymer fought gallantly for second, a head in front of outsider Woodbury Belle.

My Lips Ar Sealed belied his 10 years of age when finishing fourth ahead of Who Knows and Sterling Prince.

Il Quello Veloce wound up seventh, almost six lengths from the winner, after being back and improving near the home turn.