Former French stayer Don Diego De Vega has broken through for his first Australian win in a dramatic edition of the Grafton Cup (2350m).

Pre-race favourite Bear On The Loose was scratched at the barriers after getting a leg over the gate, prompting a tactical shift from jockey Zac Lloyd.

“I made my mind up in the gates,” Lloyd told Sky Racing.

“Once he began well, it really made my job pretty easy.”

Lloyd took up a forward position, stalking co-favourite Quietness, who veered sharply in the straight, losing momentum and opening a gap for Don Diego De Vega ($4.60) to surge through and win by three-quarters of a length.

Zoology ($15) finished third.

It marked a first Grafton Cup win for both Lloyd and trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald.

“We were a little bit uncertain with this surface today… but he just came out and did a brilliant job,” said part-owner Brendan Nelson.

“He’s got plenty of ability.”