He spoiled the party for the big two of Sushi Sushi ($1.90 favourite) and Smoken Up ($2.60) to give NZ raiders back-to-back Ballarat Cups.

Sushi Sushi and Smoken Up dominated betting on the grand circuit event, relegating their rivals to long odds belying their ability.

Highview Tommy had finished third in the NZ Cup earlier this season, but still started at the massive odds of $102.

The Cup went perfectly to script mid-race, with Sushi Sushi leading and Smoken Up serving it up on his outside.

Smoken Up began to lose touch with 300m to run.

For Sushi Sushi’s reinsman Greg Sugars, this was the signal to make a break.

Getting clear, the four-year-old appeared set to stretch his winning sequence to 17 in his grand circuit debut.

However, Highview Tommy was to have the last say.

After enjoying a cosy run midfield in the running line, he loomed up and grabbed Sushi Sushi in the shadows of the post.

Smoken Up fought on bravely to hold down third four metres away.

Highview Tommy’s return to top form gives trainer-driver Mark Purdon a two-pronged assault on the $425,000 AG Hunter Cup at Melton on Saturday.

He will also have superstar Auckland Reactor in the group 1 event after a win in the $20,000 Pure Steel, 2710m, in Ballarat.

Purdon said he had not expected Highview Tommy to win.

“He got a nice run, which gave him the last run at them,” he said.

Sugars admitted he thought he had the Cup in his keeping on Sushi Sushi when he kicked clear.

“Then I heard footsteps coming down the outside.”

Sugars said he was still rapt with the run.

He said to go right down to the line in group 1 company for the first time was special.

“There are only good things to come in the future.”

Highview Tommy’s mile rate of 1:57.3 was just 0.2 seconds outside the track record set by Stunin Cullen in winning last year’s Cup.

Highview Tommy is a six-year-old entire with the super record of 16 wins for $830,000 in earnings.