"Nah, definitely not," says jockey Tim Clark, gripping number three tightly in his hand.

The 32-year-old claimed his third Canberra Cup as he saluted on board Samadoubt in the 2000m listed race at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday.

While the thrill of getting his hands on another trophy is there whether he is winning in Canberra or Kensington, Randwick or Warwick Farm, there is something special about doing it in the capital.

This is where Clark found his groove in the saddle. This is where he pulled off the elusive Canberra Cup-Black Opal Stakes double in 2017. This is as good as home.

"It doesn’t matter where you win, it’s always good, [especially] to win feature races," Clark said.

"I’ve rode a lot around this area when I was coming through the ranks and it’s always nice to get back to these carnivals. They get a great crowd, a good atmosphere, and it’s great to win the Cup again.

"I’ve got family here now, my mum and dad live here, I’ve got a brother and sister that live in Canberra as well. I generally always try to get down here for this meeting.

"I’ve had really good success over the past half a dozen years. Hopefully I can keep coming down here and keep winning the big races.

"Obviously it was a bit unfortunate that my horse in the Black Opal ran yesterday, I thought he would have been a great chance. But still, to be able to come down here and win the Cup is a great thrill."

Clark's hopes of a second Black Opal triumph to cap off the day were dashed when the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Bellevue Hill was pulled out.

As much as he would have liked to get this hands on the crown in Canberra's showpiece event, he was more than happy to steer a deserving "warhorse" to a victory many had questions about.

Samadoubt showed an impressive turn of foot to breeze past Taikomochi and Almost Court en route to the post, handing trainer Bjorn Baker a maiden Canberra Cup win.

Clark says things clicked at the midway point of the race, when Samadoubt began to build some serious speed and edge towards the front of the 16-strong field.

"I knew there was a bit of speed in the race but this horse has got good speed as well. I was able to get to the front and control it," Clark said.

"From the 1000 to the 600 was key to me, I was able to stack them up a bit and get a couple of cheap ones. Then that allowed him to be really strong through the line and run the trip out really strong.

"There was a bit of doubt about him running out the 2000, but he put that to bed today."

Bjorn Baker's racing manager Jack Bruce added: "Samadoubt worked with Madison County on Tuesday and kind of held him at bay up the running.

"Bjorn was pretty pleased with that going forward. I think after his fourth in the Randwick Guineas that's good enough form for us."