South Australian visitor Balf's Choice proved strongest in Sunday's Listed Seymour Cup (1600m).
Enjoying a lovely run to the home turn settled just behind the leaders Ecuador and Moss 'N' Dale, Balf's Choice ($18) was presented three wide into the home straight by Joe Bowditch, holding out Radipole ($10) on his outside to score by a head in a driving finish with Moss 'N' Dale ($3.90 fav) a short neck away third.
Joe Bowditch told Racing Victoria he had the perfect trip aboard the Ryan Balfour-trained Balf's Choice.
"We had a beautiful run, got into the one out one back and settled into a beautiful rhythm," Bowditch said.
"He switched off really nice for me then just hit a bit of a flat spot coming around the corner.
"He took a little bit to wind up but he was good on the line."
Balf's Choice won the Balaklava Cup over 1600m two starts back and Bowditch said the five-year-old son of Written Tycoon was still improving.
"He's a nice horse, a horse that has progressed this time in - he's really come into his own," Bowditch said.
"Full credit to Ryan, I can't say enough good things about him, his stats this year speak for themselves and I can't thank him enough for bringing me over for today."
Balf's Choice is named in
"It's a big thrill for me - it's the equal of any win I've had so far and he's a really special horse to the stable," Balfour said.
"We didn't go to Murray Bridge for the Cup on Friday, the track was in good order but it's undulating and we didn't think he'd be at his best coming down the hill and this race looked a better option.
"He's got Flemington written all over him with the big track so
