Gai Waterhouse's The Offer win Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury

The seven-year-old Irish bay gelding beat John Thompson’s Dragon Flyer by a length over the 1600-metre race.

It was the first race the gelding had run since an ill-fated trip to Brisbane earlier this year.

The best-placed Hawkesbury runner was Garry Frazer’s Campania, which was three lengths behind the winner in third place.

Campania hung in there on the straight, but fell away with about 100 metres to go, as Dragon Flyer made a late, but unsuccessful charge for the win.

Terry Croft’s Vite Loni was a late scratching, after jockey Christian Reith fell from the horse en route to the barrier.

According to the steward’s report, Reith suffered a leg injury and was unable to race, so the stewards ordered Vite Loni be scratched.

It was a lean meeting for Hawkesbury trainers, with Scott Singleton and John O’Shea the only pair to claim wins.

Singleton’s Art of Defence fought hard to win by half a length in the seventh race of the day.

The four-year-old gelding beat Malibu Stacy for the 10th win of its career.

To win the 1800 metre class 1 handicap, Art of Defence made a late charge to overtake Sunbury, who ran third.

Sunbury had a clear lead for most of the run home, but was caught by Singleton’s charge with about 100 metres to go.

O’Shea’s Mesa won comfortably in an 1100-metre maiden plate after starting as a $1.30 favourite.

The three-year-old colt overcame an awkward start to win by 2.8 lengths.