International jockey Kerrin McEvoy produced a copybook ride to ensure Itstheone ($4.40 favourite) gave Kavanagh one more feature event.

Kavanagh has enjoyed a wonderful spring, with a series of group successes led by Shocking's win in the Melbourne Cup.

Itstheone won by a length from Melbourne Cup runner Gallions Reach ($15), with the luckless Davcon ($16) third after getting caught wide and then getting away midway down the home straight.

Last year's Ballarat Cup winner Daka's Gem was a brave fourth.

Although the five Ballarat stables represented in the race missed out, Itstheone ensured the victory still had a strong hometown flavour.

Itstheone is part-owned by Ballarat resident Matthew Conduit, while McEvoy is married to Cathy Payne, who is a member of one of Ballarat's best know racing families.

Even before Itstheone crossed the line, a party was set for the Payne household next to the Dowling Forest Racecourse to celebrate the first birthday of McEvoy's son Charlie.

The cup triumph ensured the party would go to a new level.

"It is nice to win my first Ballarat Cup and win it for our little boy Charlie on his first birthday," said McEvoy, who spent several years riding for Godolphin in Europe and is now based in Sydney as the number one rider for

the Darley empire.

"He's at the Payne household now and we are having a party after the last race."

While yesterday's cup marked the end of preparations for many runners, Itstheone will race on.

Kavanagh's assistant trainer Merv Harvey said they would probably keep him going and "see what happens".

Harvey said Itstheone deserved the win.

"The put the writing on the wall at Flemington (when second at Flemington)."

The seven-year-old son of Istidaad has also had to overcome a rocky road to get this far.

Previously trained by Lee Freedman, Itstheone became part of the Kavanagh stable last year after having knee surgery.

Harvey said Itstheone then had to have a bone chip removed earlier this year.

Itstheone now has six wins and nine minor placings in 27 starts for $306,000 in earnings.

His time of 2 minutes,14.46 seconds, was the fastest in the race since Aquiver's course record of 2:14 set in winning the 2001 Ballarat Cup.