The lightly raced dog flashed home on the inside to run down pacemaker Dyna Hunter in the shadows of the post in the group 2 Volkswagen Ballarat Cup, 450m.

Aston Kimetto ($4.30) scored by a neck in 24.944 seconds, with Dyna Hunter ($6.90) also running sub-25 seconds. Belt Up Bubbs ($4.1 favourite) was three lengths away third.

Thompson, who grew up in Ballarat, is holidaying in the United States so was unable to be on track as she was Aston Dee Bee last year.

Thompson’s kennel foreman Wayne Vassallo said he was confident on the home turn that Aston Kimetto would make up the four lengths needed to catch Dyna Hunter, although he admitted the leader had kicked strongly.

Vassallo said Aston Kimetto was not a leader, but possessed the poise needed to make up ground late.

He said he was hopeful that the son of KC And All would be able to work his way through the field and it had worked out perfectly.

Aston Kimmetto has won 10 of 18 starts and with the $47,000 first stakemoney boosted his earnings to $144,000.