Brian Gentle made the long road trip to Mildura count on Monday, but he had to wait until the last of his six runners competed.
Ribbon of Choice scored for him in benchmark 58 company over 1400 metres.
The victory broke a frustrating run of placings for the Gentle stable (five of them in July) and put Ribbon of Choice back in the winners stall for the first time since his debut win in August 2016.  
The three-year-old was well backed into $5.50 second up from a spell and found his find his feet early under Ryan Hurdle. Taking the shortcuts home, Ribbon of Choice scored comfortably over I’m The Boss.
“He was the best horse in the race and got Ryan (Hurdle) to ride him accordingly,” said Gentle.
“We know he can gallop ... he was only beaten a couple of lengths in a listed race over 1400 metres at Flemington in one race.”
Ribbon of Choice also boasts a fifth at Caulfield behind Theanswermyfriend, and two fourths at Sandown.
The chestnut was a $50,000 purchase at the 2015 premier sales and is a half-brother to stakes winner Blue Ribbon, whose first foal  sold for $200,000 earlier this year.
Monday’s win was Gentle’s 11th on the professional circuit this season and puts the stable in a clear third position on the Bendigo Trainers ladder.
Bendigo’s big jumps day
One of the highlights on Bendigo’s racing calendar will take place this Sunday, with the seventh edition of Mosstrooper Steeplechase day.
$255,000 will be on offer for the jumpers with four events over obstacles and five flat races.
The $100,000 Mosstrooper Steeple (3600m), with 13 obstacles, boasts an honour role that includes the champion Bashboy.
Sea King became the first horse to go back-to-back in the race last year and returns to the track this Sunday — over hurdles.
The $100,000 Brendan Drechsler Hurdle (3600m), named in honour of the former Bendigo president and long time jumps racing enthusiast, has attracted a quality line-up.
Last year Zanteco gave Darren Weir four wins in the feature, with iron horse Gotta Take Care winning three times.