Paul Murray, the Kembla Grange horseman, has perpetuated his family’s notable ties to the Wagga Cup carnival through victory in the $200,000 Town Plate with Harry’s Bar.

His late father Bede, a storied South Coast trainer, initiated trips to the major country gathering in the 1970s, almost invariably returning victorious, with highlights like the Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) aboard Vanquished and the Town Plate (1200m) on Scorpio.

On Thursday, Paul Murray swelled the family coffers as Harry’s Bar ($9) overhauled leader Love Shuck ($61) for a three-quarter length margin, Bandi’s Boy ($11) producing a solid finish for third, another two lengths behind.

Murray oversees a select group of horses at Kembla Grange, and this success follows his recent feature conquest six months ago when Where’s The Circus took the Inglis Nursery (1000m) at Randwick during December.

Yet, the Wagga two-day carnival’s place in Murray family lore lent this Harry’s Bar triumph special importance.

“It’s unbelievable. I was only a boy when we used to come down with Dad,” Murray told Sky Racing.

“We had a runner after (Scorpio), Sure And Fast, and I think he ran second or third in it, but this is my first runner.”

The result was Harry’s Bar’s third from 16 starts, merited by her dependability including second in the Gosford heat of the Provincial-Midway Country Championships and a gritty fifth place to Lord Of Biscay in the Final.

“She is just a very good mare,” Murray said.

“She gives you two hundred per cent. Every time you go to the races you know you’re going to get a run for your money.

She loves a fight, and I’ve never seen a mare as tough as her.”

Murray has yet to finalise Harry’s Bar’s next move but floated the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone two weeks hence as a possibility.

Jean Van Overmeire, Harry’s Bar’s steady rider, notched a double after piloting Luke Pepper’s Brutal Belle to an earlier win on the program.

The event rolls on Friday with the Wagga Gold Cup on deck, Chris Waller’s Travolta the $3.20 top pick. View betting markets for the race ahead of the Wagga Gold Cup.