Sixty riders lined up to race in the graded mass start around a 9km block in North Taieri.
The category one race was blown apart in the first lap with a four-man break, led by eventual winner Brad Evans.
Neil Derbyshire rode away from the field for a solo win in category two and, in category three, a wrong turn resulted in the first two riders over the line being relegated, leaving youngster Daniel Creswell to lead the field home for his first win in the senior grade.
In the junior race, newcomer Kieren Duncan charged away from the field to claim the Calder MacKay trophy.
After an eight-week break in racing, there was no gentle start in the main race as Evans put the hammer down and broke away in the first of five laps.
Only Patrick Jones, Mark Spessot and Phil Turnwald were able to go with him. Justin Stott bridged the gap to join them in the second lap but was gone by lap three, along with Turnwald.
Over the next two laps, the trio of Evans, Spessot and Jones extended their lead over the splintering chase bunch. They fought it out among themselves for the line honours, Evans clinching it from Jones and Spessot.
Rangi Wharepapa showed good form to win the bunch sprint for fourth, ahead of Andy Connelly and Turnwald.
The category two race was similarly brutal from the start, as riders fell off the back within the first lap.
Neil Derbyshire was unstoppable when he made a decisive move in lap two, and continued solo to the finish.
Veteran Leo O'Brien was the best of the rest, edging out Wayne Evans and Andrew Maffey in the sprint for second.
Category three comprised a mixed field of veterans, juniors looking for a step up and newcomers.
The bunch splintered in the first lap, as the variety of abilities became evident. Under-17 rider Creswell rode impressively to lead the field home, with Joel Davies and Carl Larson in pursuit.
Next week, racing moves to Outram, for another graded mass start around the deceptively challenging Woodside circuit.
By Janice McClelland
