One of a six-horse entry for Darren Weir, Kiwia received an inspired ride by John Allen to land Saturday's $350,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m), the first for Weir since Just The Part in 2004.
The 2016 Ballarat Cup winner Pilote D'essai (GB) looked to have the race in his keeping after making the speed and kicking four lengths clear around the final bend. But Allen was finding all the shortcuts on Kiwa who never left the fence to power home by one and three-quarter lengths over Pilote D'essai (GB) with Life Less Ordinary (IRE) one and a quarter lengths back in third.
Bred and part-owned by Gerry Ryan's Limerick Lane Thoroughbreds, Kiwia had been out of the winner's circle since capturing the Coongy Handicap in October last year.
The 5yo gelded son of Reset advances his record to 7 wins, 3 seconds and 3 thirds from 22 starts with earnings of $762,050.
"I had the choice of a couple, I'm glad I picked the right one," Allen told Racing.com.
"We had a great run in transit, three back on the fence.
"I had a walk of the track just before the race and I didn't think the fence was a disadvantage even though they'd been getting off all day.
"When the run appeared to my inside I was happy to stay there and he won well."
Weir said Kiwia deserved the win after a luckless fifth in the Group III Eclipse Stakes at Sandown at his most recent start.
"The writing was on the wall last Saturday. If he had a bit of luck he probably wins the race," Weir said.
Kiwia is the first foal of the unraced Danehill Dancer mare Single View a sister to Group III MRC Geoffrey Belmaine Stakes winner Tuscan Sling out of the Listed SAJC Walter Brown Stakes winner Firenza (Kenny's Best Pal).
Single View had not had a live foal in three years before foaling a full-sister to Kiwia on August 27.
Darley Stud's Reset has just one entry in both the Magic Millions and Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
