McVeigh was able to break a 12-month win drought when the capable, and at times luckless, six-year-old gelding stunned his rivals to score his first win since August last year in a NR 52 to 55 pace.

For McVeigh, the dry spell was not as long, with her previous most recent success coming with Heezalittlecaesar at Bendigo on December 4 last year.

While for many, 2020 has felt like the longest year of our lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated lockdowns, the gap between wins was something McVeigh had not exactly dwelled on, or given much consideration to before Tuesday.

"Just before the race I was saying it's 21 starts since Clem's won a race and you just don't realise it," she said.

"He's had a few placings in that time and Heezalittlecaesar won 12 months ago, but you really don't realise it's been that long until you actually stop and think about it.

"I've always thought he's just needed a few things to go his away. Before the false start (on Tuesday), it looked like he was going to lead, and James (Herbertson) in between the false start and the restart changed his tactics.

"Because he could see some of the other horses were fired up he took him off the gate and that was the difference."

"I have a lot of faith in James' driving ability, he's done a great job for us. He's never afraid to offer you some advice about gear changes, or on how to drive the horse."

Even though he had been racing consistently since his return in November from a five-month break, McVeigh still described Clem Mcardle's win on Tuesday night as 'a pleasant surprise'.

"It was quite unexpected - it was a tough field," she said.

"I wouldn't necessarily say it was a turnaround in form as such, although he was a bit disappointing at his last start (at Shepparton).

"We took the hood off him just to try and settle him and I think that did the trick.

"He was able just to ease off the gate, didn't do too much early and was saved for a late run.

"He overraced a lot at Shepparton when he led and just wasn't able to settle when we put the hood on him for that start."

Clem Mcardle, who has won five times in 54 career starts, was bred by the McVeighs out of their mare Sheezalittlebeauty and has clearly captured the affection of connections.

"Clem's an absolute gem of a horse - we still have the mum," she said.

"He's the sort of horse who needs just a few things to go his way in his races, but when it does and he puts it all together, he's run some nice races against some horses who have gone on with it.

"It would be nice if he could be a bit more consistent and string it together, but when he does, he looks like a nice horse."

A breakthrough win comes at an exciting time for McVeigh, who has been based at various stages of her training career in Queensland and South Australia, as well as Victoria.

She and partner Dan are preparing to move the training base from Marong to a 40-hectare property at Milloo, north of Elmore.

"(Clem Mcardle) went back to Milloo with us (Tuesday) night and he was out in the paddock with his mates this morning," she said.

"We are getting the training track put in now, so hopefully in the next week or two he will be moving out there permanently.

"We've got 40-acres out there and have some of those things you work really hard for .

"The track has been cut, we're just waiting for a sand to go on it and then it will be all systems to go."

McVeigh has just the two horses in work, but plans on boosting that number once established at Milloo.

"Once we are set up we'll put Angus Bromac back in work and then maybe look for one or two more," she said.

McVeigh expects Clem Mcardle to have his next run in about two weeks' time, potentially at Horsham on December 23.

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