Lawrence had good reason to savour the win as twice during the 14 years he had produced a horse first past the post but had lost the race.
Epoch was first home at Oamaru on May 23 but he was relegated to fifth for causing interference in the run home.
Ima Knight was first past the post for Lawrence at Forbury Park in 1998 but he returned a positive test.
Lawrence was not held responsible but Ima Knight was disqualified.
Lawrence had previously "kept" a win when Rapa Boy won the 1996 Roxburgh Cup.
Phil Williamson drove Ima Knight.
His son, Matthew, drove Epoch, a 6yr-old having his 55th start.
Lawrence was given Epoch by breeder Roydon Lodge Stud, taking the horse over as a 4yr-old.
Epoch had been placed at 3 when trained by Robbie Holmes.
Ricky May is back driving Carabella in the $100,000 Yearling Sales Pace for horses bred to northern hemisphere time at Alexandra Park on Friday night.
Garrett Newton drove Carabella to an impressive win in the prelude last Friday.
May drove the filly to win her other start at Oamaru last month.
Badlands Jewel has joined the Ladbrooks stable of Dean Taylor.
Badlands Jewel has won eight races, including the 2008 Sires' Stakes Final for 3yr-old fillies when trained by Wayne Adams at Invercargill.
Notverychristianlike (two wins) and Swift Caesar (one win) are newcomers to the Westwood Beach stable of Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman.
