Vincent Bale well and truly performed in the eighth and final heat of the Group 2 Warragul Cup tonight, clocking a best of the night 25.38 seconds.

The Cranbourne Cup winner, jumped fairly from box one in his first start at the track but held his position on the rail while fending off a couple of contenders and defeating Schillaci in the process.

Vincent Bale came into the Warragul Cup heats a solid winner over the 595 metres at Sandown last start, defeating fellow Warragul Cup contender Zipping Hopkins for Brooke Ennis.

The son of Christo Bale and Helga Bale, who is trained by Team Grenfell, is a winner of 16 races from 39 starts.

Zeus Thunderbolt held time honours since his 25.41 second all the way victory over Amron Tiger in the fourth Cup heat.

In a great touch for the local dogs and trainers of Warragul, Aston Corleone for Graeme Jose and Fernando Gomez for Thomas Currie both made it through to the Group 2 Warragul Cup after surprising victories in their heats.

The Group 2 Sportsbet Warragul Cup will be run on Friday January 10 at Logan Park.

Heat 1: Local Aston Corleone (3) held onto win the opening heat of the Warragul Cup in 25.74 seconds over Big Energy (4). 

Heat 2: Field Day (7) worked through traffic to win in a time of 25.57 seconds over Motion Sensor (2). 

Heat 3: Pass The Buck (2) wins in a time of 25.55 seconds over Boracay Storm (3).

Heat 4: Zeus Thunderbolt (4) lead all the way in a sizzling 25.41 seconds over Amron Tiger (7). 

Heat 5: Flying Zulu (3) wins in a time of 25.41 seconds over Seagull Rock (7).

Heat 6: Fernando Gomez (5) overcomes some big names to win in a time of 25.61 seconds over Short Straw Trev (2).

Heat 7: Zipping Hopkins (2) showed pure strength in winning in a time of 25.56 seconds over Hara’s Buddy (1).

Heat 8: The best was saved until last; Vincent Bale (1) clocked a best of the night 25.38 seconds over Schillaci (6).