Mitchell Bell has celebrated one of his biggest moments on the racetrack with victory aboard Artlee in the inaugural $300,000 Country Championship Final at Randwick.

It was a homecoming of sorts for the jockey who was runner-up in the Sydney apprentices' premiership a decade ago but now rides mainly on the NSW country and provincial circuit.

Bell upstaged a field of world-class jockeys including Joao Moreira, Zac Purton, Damien Oliver and James McDonald and said winning the Final felt as good as claiming a feature race.

"It's a big thrill to be here on Doncaster day," Bell said.

"It feels like riding a Group one winner."

The race was restricted to NSW country-trained horses who earned a spot in the Final through a series of qualifying heats.

Artlee missed out at his first attempt but made the most of a second chance when Racing NSW belatedly added a wildcard lead-up.

It proved a lucky break for young trainer Todd Willan, who has just six horses in work at Muswellbrook near the Hunter Valley.

A former track rider for several leading Sydney trainers, Willan has had his trainers' licence for three years and runs it alongside a pre-training and breaking business.

He said Artlee, who has now won five of his eight starts, was a worthy winner on the first day of The Championships.

"That was unbelievable. I don't really know what to say, I was shaking and so excited you know," Willan said.

"The owners are bush owners and real down to earth lads and ladies. It's just terrific."

Artlee ($6) scored by three lengths over Tarangower ($5.50) with $3 favourite Voodoo Lad another 1-3/4 lengths away third.