Trained and driven by Mark Peace from Whittlesea, Cincinnati Kid's maiden group one victory came at his ninth attempt.

He made full use of an inside run after racing on the back of leader Mister Zion to get the money over Mr Feelgood and Karloo Mick.

Mr Feelgood, which was also runner-up in the race last year, was third past the post, but was promoted after stewards upheld a protest against Karloo Mick.

Peace also won the Ballarat Pacing Cup with Dark Paul in 1994.

The sensation of the night was the defeat of short-priced favourite Skyvalley in the Inter-Dominion Trotting Championship first semi-final.

However, he will get another chance in the final at Moonee Valley on Saturday night, when he will clash with stablemate Sundons Gift. Each is trained by Chris Lang at Nagambie.

Sundons Gift took out the second semi-final in easy fashion.

It was a big night for Ballarat district trainers Ashleigh Herbertson (Strangeasitsounds), Kelvin Barker (Allwevneed) and David Murphy (Rotkara Stella) all having wins.