Former champion jockey Patrick Payne has celebrated his biggest day as a trainer with Capecover winning the Group Two Adelaide Cup at Morphettville from stablemate Kerdem.

But in an ironic twist, the winning connections had an anxious wait when Payne's sister Michelle, who rode the runner-up, fired in a protest against the winner.

It was dismissed and New Zealand stayer Capecover was declared the winner of the gruelling 3200 metre contest.

Capecover is trained by Alexander Fieldes when he races in New Zealand but remained with Victorian-based Payne after the Melbourne Cup in which he finished 17th.

Payne said he had no concerns about the distance with either Capecover or Kerdem who finished second to Zavite in last year's Adelaide Cup.

"Capecover's had three tries at it and been beaten each time but in last year's Melbourne Cup he got stopped in his tracks a few times and still finished off very strongly," Payne said.

"Kerdem is a beautiful old horse - he was one of my first horses.

"I was very happy coming into today with both of them."

Capecover ($5) beat Kerdem ($6.50) by a length with Itstheone (10) another short half head third.

Earlier local pin-up Augusta Proud returned to winning form in style in the Listed Irwin Stakes (1100m).

The winner of the 2008 Magic Millions, Augusta Proud has had mixed fortunes since but made no mistakes under regular partner Clare Lindop.

"She was a great two-year-old and once she got up to open company she's found it a bit hard," co-trainer Leon Macdonald said.

"With a lot of speed in the race today I thought she'd be able to come off their backs and that's what she did."

"As soon as she came off their heels I was very happy."

Augusta Proud ($10) swooped down the outside to beat Commanding Hope ($6.50) by 1-1/2 lengths.

Her stablemate Majestic Music ($4.40) was equally impressive coming from near last to claim the Group Two Yallambee Classic (1200m) by a long head from Sydney visitor Sister Madly (4.80).

The upset of the day came from Patinack Farm filly Small Minds, a $61 chance in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m).

Like most winners on day, she came wide on the track with a strong finish to beat Storm Brewing ($17) by 1-1/4 lengths.

Trainer John Thompson watched the race from Warwick Farm and was confident she was always going to improve on her last start eighth at Morphettville.

"It was a nice win, set up by the strong speed," Thompson said.

"She came into it at the right time and it was a nice win.

"We went over there a couple of weeks ago for one of the lead-up races to this and she goes into the (Australasian Oaks) over there now.

"I think she was paying that big a price because last start she got a lot of checks (in the run). She got hammered (last start)."

Pictures: Jenny Barnes