CHRIS Holder triumphed at a benefit meeting for close pal Darcy Ward held at Gillman, South Australia on Saturday.

Some £28,000 was raised for Wimborne Road favourite Ward for his battle against serious spinal injuries, which he sustained in a crash in Poland in August.

A crowd of around 2,000 turned out to show their support at the Adelaide circuit and Holder came out on top having got the better of Troy Batchelor, Kai Huckenbeck and Justin Sedgmen in the closing heat.

Sydneysider Holder, who tasted Elite League title success with Poole in September, failed to take the chequered flag in his opening ride but then reeled off four straight wins to cruise into the final.

Batchelor dropped just two points in his qualifying rides, while German Huckenbeck impressed with three wins from five.

Sedgmen held off a strong challenge from countryman Nick Morris to grab first place in the semi-final.

But Sedgmen's joy at progression was shortlived as he was excluded for touching the tapes in the showpiece race.

In the re-run, Holder just managed to stay in front of Batchelor, with Huckenbeck forced to be content with third.

You can donate to Ward's ongoing rehabilitation at pledgie.com/campaigns/30061.