All summer Greenough has been so close to victory but it was not until yesterday, in the $500 70-metre open handicap that he topped the podium.

The win follows a string of finals appearances, including the 70m and Gifts at Northcote last month and Maryborough on New Year's Day, and the Terang 70m final in November.

Greenough pulled up sore from a heavy program on Friday but said he just threw in everything he had to win his first Daylesford sash.

He leapt of the blocks at 5.5 metres to clock a winning time of 7.88 seconds, narrowly ahead of seasoned Bendigo athlete Glenn Stephens (8.25m) and in-form Essendon sprinter Andrew Boudrie (5.25m).

Ringwood training partner Cam Dunbar (5.25m), also tantalisingly close to victory this summer, ran the final next to Greenough.

"It was like a training run. It was good having him next to me," Greenough said.

"There were a couple of quick out-markers and those last couple of metres it was hard to tell where anyone was.

"I felt pretty good, I knew I had a good start."

Greenough's trainer Todd Ireland, the 2000 Maryborough Gift winner, missed the meet.

His triumphant charge was certain to call Ireland at his holiday house in Lorne and tell him of the well-earnt win.

Greenough said Ireland had set the stable in good stead to peak at the right time.

He hoped to capture more sashes leading into Stawell, starting with Rye next weekend.

Meanwhile, training partner Dunbar was forced to keep waiting glory in 2010 after finishing second in the Daylesford 100m Gift final.