A wide barrier turned out to be a blessing for The Bowler at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer Robert Smerdon had considered scratching The Bowler from the Peter Armytage Stakes (1700m) after the gelding drew the extreme outside gate.

But rain during the meeting had jockeys heading out wide in the straight looking for better ground.

Nick Hall found the perfect place, the outside fence, to bring the four-year-old home a winner to raucous scenes with The Bowler owned by members of the Port Melbourne Football Club.

Backed from $9 into $7, The Bowler scored a three-quarter-length win over Longeron ($12) with Kenjorwood ($4.80) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

"I actually thought about scratching him when the acceptances came out but it's ended up being a good barrier," Smerdon said.

"He's got a great constitution and things fell into place for him today, plus he's also got a great wet-track record."

Smerdon said The Bowler has been in work since December and continued to thrive.

Perth galloper Mr Utopia gave Smerdon a race-to-race double when taking out the final race, the William Malone Auckland Racing Club Trophy.

Mr Utopia ($20) came from last at the 400m to get up in the last stride and defeat Boomwaa ($6) by a short head.

"He missed the Perth carnival because of a few issues and he's only been with us for a month or so and we're still learning about him," Smerdon said.