Jockey Michael Rodd took full honours when piloting Secret Liaison to a last to first win in the Twilight Glow Stakes (14000m) at Sandown Hillside today.

From a wide draw Rodd, as did Craig Williams aboard the first race winner Maximus Moonard, dragged his mount to last in the early stages.

Simple Choice worked to the lead and its jockey Dale Smith slowed the pace making it look like a tough ask for a backmarker to win.

Rodd stayed on the fence and it proved the difference.

Simple Choice had enough at the 300m as You Can Dance, who had settled on its outside, took over.

Miss Stellabelle came from midfield and reached the lead with Secret Liaison at the 100m mark but went down narrowly.

Shopaholic, who was blocked in the early part of the straight, ran on best for third.

Secret Liaison ($10) defeated Miss Stellabelle ($4.20) by a nose with Shopaholic ($6.50) another half length away third.

Favourite Combat Kitty ($3.70fav) got back and never featured.

In winning, Rodd defeated trainer Mark Kavanagh’s horse Miss Stellabelle, the man Rodd rides for most.

The winning trainer Matthew Ellerton had applied a tongue tie on Secret Liaison for the first time.

“I was grimacing with the tempo of the race being so slow but we got there,” Ellerton said.

“She has gone from a maiden to a stake-winners in this preparation and she deserves a break.”