Callum Shepherd enjoyed a dream start to his association with trainer Brian Ellison when steering Specialv to victory at Southwell.
The 5lb claimer is now based with the North Yorkshire handler, having previously been attached to William Knight's yard in West Sussex.
Specialv (7-1) came good in the 32Red.com Handicap, holding off Rupert Boy by a head, with Kemsing another head away in third in a tight finish.
"He's a good lad," said Ellison.
"He's had plenty of rides for me in the past and I think he'll have more opportunities up north.
"This filly ran well here last time but was drawn in the car park. I think there's more to come from her - she's a nice filly."
The fitting of blinkers and a tongue-tie for the first time worked the oracle for the Kevin Ryan-trained Uptight (8-1) in the unibet.co.uk Daily Enhanced Place Terms Handicap.
The four-year-old, whose two previous victories came at Nottingham as a juvenile, had been well beaten on his first run on the all-weather at Lingfield three weeks ago.
However, he got his act together to claim this prize by two and a half lengths from Desert Command under Shane Gray.
"He's a horse they've always thought a lot of at home," said Gray.
"He works a lot better than his mark suggests. Hopefully, it's onwards and upwards with him now."
Karl Burke's Undertow (9-2) galloped on resolutely to open her account in the Bet & Watch Every Race At Unibet Maiden Fillies' Stakes.
The Middleham Park-owned filly had shown promise in her first two races and stepped up to make it third-time lucky under Joey Haynes as she got home by half a length from Best New Show.
"She's a nice filly, I've always liked her and she's from a speedy family," said Burke.
Master Of Song (9-2) registered his fifth course success for owner-trainer-breeder Roy Bowring in the Download The Ladbrokes App Handicap.
Back on song following a decent run last month on his first start since May, the nine-year-old was produced by 3lb claimer Rob Hornby to lead over a furlong out and score by two and a half lengths from Roger Thorpe.
"I did think he'd win if the horse broke OK. Very often he just gets so far back and is doing his best work at the finish," said Bowring.
Basement buy Afkar (13-2) won for the second time in four starts for new connections with a game performance in the Ladbrokes Handicap.
Picked up for £2,500 by Dallas Racing at the sales in October, the eight-year-old stuck on strongly under 5lb claimer Josephine Gordon to hold Dutch Garden by a length and three-quarters.
"He likes the track, seven furlongs is his trip and he had cheekpieces on, which helped him," said trainer Ivan Furtado.
Edgar (5-1) led three furlongs out to comfortably take the Coral App Download From The App Store Handicap.
The six-year-old, trained by David Bridgwater, was so far in front in the final furlong that Willy Twiston-Davies was able to ease him down, crossing the line two lengths ahead of Celestial Dancer.
"He'll get further and he'll come on for the run," said Twiston-Davies.