My Bentley gave high profile owners Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson something to smile about after a frustrating spring when he took out Sunday's Ballarat Cup.Former international cricketer O'Donnell and his partner Henderson, the principals of OTI Syndicate, had high hopes four European purchases - Bauer, Manighar, Stanstill and Becqu Adoree - would line up in the Melbourne Cup.Stanstill and Becqu Adoree failed to make the field, 2008 runner-up Bauer was scratched on race morning while Mani

My Bentley gave high profile owners Simon O'Donnell and Terry Henderson something to smile about after a frustrating spring when he took out Sunday's Ballarat Cup.

Former international cricketer O'Donnell and his partner Henderson, the principals of OTI Syndicate, had high hopes four European purchases - Bauer, Manighar, Stanstill and Becqu Adoree - would line up in the Melbourne Cup.

Stanstill and Becqu Adoree failed to make the field, 2008 runner-up Bauer was scratched on race morning while Manighar finished seventh.

The Mick Kent-trained My Bentley was bought from New Zealand and had come agonisingly close to winning the Cranbourne and Bendigo Cups this spring.

Brad Rawiller got down to what is regarded as his minimum weight of 54 kilograms to ride My Bentley in the Ballarat Cup (2200m) and steered him along the inside for a 1-1/4 length win over Kidnapped.

"He's run quality races and put himself there to win and today it's all come together for him," O'Donnell said.

"He got a 20 out of 10 ride and credit to Mick to keep him up till this time.

"Cranbourne and Bendigo were frustrating but today is a step in the right direction after a long spring, not everything's gone right.

"We love our stayers and our partners are coming along for the journey. This fellow's got plenty of ability and time will tell exactly where we end up."

Rawiller said it had been a hard few days to get down to the weight, but worth the effort.

"I rode at 54 in the Melbourne Cup but that was planned for months," he said.

"I've got down this time with four days notice but it's great to win the Ballarat Cup.

"I was always able to keep my rhythm and he held his ground when there was a bit of trouble."

The Ballarat Cup meeting brought the spring racing carnival to its official close with thousands turning out for the festival day.