If jockeys in the Chandler Macleod 78 Handicap (1523m) had their time over again, they surely would have ridden differently.

All with the exception of apprentice Jake Noonan.

He got away with a walk up the the 400m aboard Champagne Love before sprinting for home.

Champagne Love, at cricket scores odds, had enough in hand to score a narrow victory.

The Moonee Valley triumph was the first city win by the horse as well as Mornington trainer Melissa Wells.

“I was cheering but nobody else was,” she said about the horse who paid $52 on the Victorian tote.

“I have only got three in work, five in the books but she is an old time favourite.

“She stripped a bit fitter for this run, it was her third run after a spell.

“She pulled up well after her last run at Sandown and I was more confident here.

“The owners backed her but I didn’t.”

Previously, Champagne Love showed a liking for Moonee Valley with two seconds from four starts.

Tonight she defeated Owners Priority, who made late ground after hugging the fence and Resounding Miss.

Noonan sent the daughter of Special Bond home in 23.9 sec for the last 400m.

“I came here pretty confident that if this mare could find her old form, she would be pretty competitive in a race like this,” Noonan said.

“She has been honest and she deserves the win.”