Hellsing, under the guidance of trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald, has hit peak condition and delivered a top career performance by capturing the Listed $200,000 Arrowfield Scone Cup (1600m) at Scone on Friday.

Even on his 10th outing in a campaign lasting over six months, Hellsing is performing at his highest level, following up a success at Royal Randwick with victory in the Scone highlight, where the top six finishers were separated by just two lengths in a nail-biting conclusion.

Amid several tales of misfortune in the contest, rider Tom Sherry executed a key decision early by placing Hellsing outside the frontrunner and away from interference, allowing the ex-Irish horse to take charge and show unyielding determination to keep his advantage down the home stretch.

This marked a cherished “local” success for the Archibalds, who manage 80 horses in training at Scone alongside a comparable stable at Warwick Farm.

“This is a massive thrill,” Annabel Archibald said.

“It was a long time ‘watching’ in the straight, I was willing the post (to come).”But Hellsing is a such a tough, honest horse and he has a great racing pattern where he gets up on the speed.

“He has been in work a long time but he is so very consistent.”

The $5.50 chance Hellsing, who started his racing life in Ireland, resisted the late charge from Churchill’s Choice ($10) to prevail by a short margin, while stablemate Formal Display ($4.60 favourite) was a half-length further back in third.

Tom Sherry had nothing but praise for Hellsing’s battling qualities in holding off pursuers at Scone, mirroring his effort at Randwick last time out.

“It was a bit of a step up in grade for him today but to his credit he showed a great will to win, he was so determined to hold off the challenger, Churchill’s Choice,” Sherry said.

Victory in this race qualifies Hellsing for the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, the first Tuesday in November.

“He deserves a little break now and then we will work back from the Big Dance – that will be his target,” Archibald said.

Churchill’s Choice, fresh from her Hawkesbury Gold Cup triumph, produced another strong effort, surging late through the field but falling just short of repeating the Cups sweep.

Formal Display struggled from his wide gate (15), caught three and four wide without shelter the entire trip, yet his run to third was impressive.

“I thought Formal Display he was huge,” Archibald said.

“He was four-wide with no cover the trip but he has still run home for third so he has definitely ticked the mile box.

“Depth Of Character (12th) never came off the bridle, he never got a crack at them in the straight.”

Last year’s Scone Cup victor Tavi Time carried topweight of 59kg, but poor racing luck rather than the impost prevented a repeat – held up from the top of the straight under Chad Schofield, he reached the finish untested in sixth.

Explore the Australian betting sites for the latest odds on the Arrowfield Scone Cup.