Ridden close to the pace this time, in contrast to his last to first win in the Winter Championship at Flemington, Sea Battle needed all the encouragement Michael Rodd could provide to nail Rockpecker right on the line.

"I was pretty happy with the performance", said trainer Mark Kavanagh after satisfying himself that Sea Battle had in fact won the photo finish.

"It was a bit skinny in the end and second up he was feeling it a bit I suppose", he went on, observing that the Quest For Fame galloper still had room for improvement.

After 6 taxing rides on the long 10 race program, Rodd was relieved to pick up a winner.

"Very happy to get the last race, especially for Mark", Rodd said with a grin.

"He's a very honest horse, this bloke. He hasn't put a foot wrong in the stable."

"It was a good gutsy win."

"He had 58kg and Rockpecker made him earn it again."

Kavanagh is now more confident to push forward to next week's Group 1 $350,000 Toorak Handicap over 1600m compared to yesterday's 1410m.

As a black type handicap, Sea Battle will receive a lot less weight than he is now expected to carry in open class races.

"Where we sit now we've got 58kg in these sorts of handicaps", Kavanagh said.

"Who knows where I put him next?"

"I'm going to nominate him for the Toorak and see where he sits there."

"He's been pretty consistent and stepped up to the mark each time."

"I don't know where the handicapper sits with horses like Bon Hoffa but I know he'll go in on the minimum."

Nevertheless, he will be watching with interest.

"We had the feeling coming out of the winter that he was a horse that could do it", Rodd said.

"It looks like he's looking for a bit of trip now."

"The beauty of him is you can ride him anywhere. He's adaptable and he's got a good turn of foot."

"There's plenty to come from him."

Photos: Quentin Lang