It was the determination of Zechner, combined with a fightback from Save The Day, that landed the 21-year-old his first win in New Zealand after Bert looked to have the race won when working ahead with 150 metres to run.

Just as supporters of the favourite Bert were getting ready to cash in their tickets, Zechner lifted

Save The Day to grab victory on the inside by a mere nose while there was a gap of a length and a quarter to the solid-finishing Thenaia.

"It's a great feeling to finally get a win here," said Zechner.

"It looked like I wasn't going to get it today, but I kept at him and we just got there."

KwaZulu-Natal-based Zechner has been in New Zealand since late April and had 36 race rides in this country going into today's meeting.

He had come close to victory on the Ruakaka-trained Jungle Juice at Avondale on June 27 when run down right on the line and beaten a nose by Direct Dash. He had also picked up another second placing, plus a couple of thirds, a fourth and a fifth.

His arrival in New Zealand arose after answering the call of Te Aroha owner John Carter, who saw the need for a jockey to be based at his local track.

Carter got in touch with the Durban's South African Racing Academy, which is the base for educating South African apprentices, and it was decided Zechner would be a better prospect for the New Zealand stint than an apprentice.

Zechner completed his apprenticeship with Durban trainer Tony Riviland about 20 months ago and has a good reputation in his homeland, being recommended also by leading South African trainer Basil Marcus.

Zechner picked up a couple of Listed wins in his homeland and now having broken through for his first New Zealand success he is looking forward to hopefully working towards some black type victory in this country.

"It took a while to get my first win, but I'm happy with the way things are going," said Zechner.

"I'm getting a few more rides and the Te Aroha trainers have supported me. It was good to win for one of them today."

Save The Day is trained by Kevin Cullen for a past President of the Te Aroha Jockey Club, Jock Wilson, and his wife, Linda.

Zechner has ridden Save The Day in trackwork and was buoyed by comments from Cullen before today's meeting.

"I rode him last week and it wasn't great work, but Kevin said he's better when he gets the blinkers on and he likes it wet," said Zechner.

"I was happy to see a heavy 11 track when I got here."

Save The Day has now won four times and his performance today was a credit to Cullen as he hadn't raced since last November.