The Adrian and Harry Bull-trained veteran's group 3 victory provided apprentice jockey Kate Cowan with her first group race success and her career highlight.
Cowan had not ridden in a race before the start of last season. By the same stage, Nashville was a proven group 1 performer and a 49-start veteran.
Their careers collided after Cowan transferred her apprenticeship to the Bull stable. The Hunterville trainers have since entrusted the regular riding of the winner of more than $900,000 in stakes to the 24-year-old.
''This is such a special moment and I want to take the opportunity to thank Adrian and Harry,'' Cowan said after the win on Saturday.
''These things don't happen to apprentices, but they [the Bulls] are very loyal and I am so lucky.''
Cowan also paid tribute to recently recruited apprentice jockeys mentor, David Walsh, for his advice.
''I walked the track with him yesterday and that was very important,'' she said.
''I felt like I had an ear piece in and he was coaching me all of the way.''
The Bull stable also won the handicap for 3yr-olds in which Humble Pie scored by more than seven lengths with Rosie Myers in the saddle.
South Island trainers were left to ponder the effects of abandoned and rescheduled lead-up meetings, as well as their recently submerged training tracks, as they watched an all-North Island finish to the feature.
While he could not hold out Nashville's big finish, the Ben Ropiha-trained Doiknowyou tried hard in his run for second for rider Lisa Allpress, ahead of the favourite, New York Minute, and last year's runner-up, Platinum Command.
Luke did the best of the South Islanders, running fourth for Riccarton trainer Neill Ridley and rider Mark du Plessis.
A decision by Gore trainer Ellis Winsloe to bypass the Winter Cup with classy sprinter Irish Excuse paid off earlier on the Riccarton programme.
The 7yr-old was among the early nominations for the race, but Winsloe opted to run in the feature 1200m sprint, rather than have the horse carry a big weight in the Winter Cup.
Winsloe's decision was aided by a brilliant Chris Johnson ride.
In front on Irish Excuse, Johnson pocketed the favourite, Scapolo (Sarah McNab) who was held up and had to angle around horses to find clear air in the straight.
By the time Scapolo got out it was too late and Irish Excuse was on his way to career win 11.
Classy galloper Volpe Veloce warmed up for the opening leg of the Hawke's Bay Triple Crown early next month with an effortless 1200m win at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained mare was having her first run since fourth behind Bonneval in the Sir Tristram Fillies Classic in February - her only defeat in nine starts.
- Additional reporting by NZ Racing Desk.
