The Geoff Webster-trained-and-driven star made it back-to-back victories on Australasian harness racing’s showcase circuit when he jumped out of the ground in the closing stages to win the $125,000 Group 1 feature.

Bannockburn-based Webster, who won his hometown South Australian Cup with Mister Swinger the start before the weekend's success, is thrilled with the way 2009 has started.

“We’ve been here (in Victoria) for three years now and to get a horse like this is just a dream (come true),” he said. “Everything is coming to fruition beautifully.”

Mister Swinger (11 points) edged clear of Blacks A Fake (10) at the head of the Barastoc-sponsored Grand Circuit, which allocates points on a 5-2-1 basis in selected events, with the win.

Along with the SA Cup win, he also finished third in the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup.

But Saturday night was all about his Ballarat Cup success. Although he had a charmed run behind Mr Feelgood, who was pestered for much of the 2710-metre event by Manwarra Goforgold, it was still a stunning success.

After locking wheels with Gotta Go Cullen in the straight and not finding a way clear until 75m from home, Mister Swinger ($4.10) sprinted sensationally to get up on the line and beat Mr Feelgood ($2.60 fav) by a half neck.

Just a head away in third spot was Fleur De Lil ($31), who looked the winner 100m out when she came with a booming run down the outside, while Gotta Go Cullen ($11) ran a brave race to finish fourth after leading up the three-wide line for the last lap.

After a 30.5-second first quarter, they broke 30 seconds for the final three quarters including 28.7 and 28.6-second last two splits. The mile rate was 2:00.1, which was well outside Safari’s 1:58.3 track record.

“I locked wheels for a couple of strides and then couldn’t get out and I thought I might have missed the boat, but he’s just going so well that he sprinted hard when he got out,” Webster said.

“The American (Mr Feelgood) is a lovely horse and he had an easy run, so I thought he was going to be very tough to beat but my horse has just got the most amazing sprint and he showed that when the run came.”