Awapuni trainer Roydon Bergerson produced an early highlight at Wanganui on Saturday when his speedsters Farravallo and Reign It In quinellaed the feature 1200m contest on the card, the H&T Agronomics/Agricom Open (1200m).
Farravallo , who had put back-to-back victories together before blotting his copybook at Hastings earlier in the month, started the $7.70 third favourite for the event with last start Otaki winner Reign It In allowed to drift to an attractive $14.10 on the tote by punters.
Bergerson had exuded some confidence when interviewed about the chances of the pair before the race, but felt Reign It In would be hardest to beat although he didn't dispel the chances of Farravallo despite him making the jump from rating75 company to open class.
Farravallo led clearly for rider Kavish Chowdhoory after a brilliant beginning, with Reign It In and rider Wiremu Pinn stalking him in his slipstream. Farravallo kicked clear at the top of the straight and looked to be holding his rivals comfortably, however he began to wander around in the final 200m as Reign It In closed to within a neck at the line with a huge late lunge.
The drama didn't end there as the protest siren sounded with an enquiry opened after Pinn alleged Reign It In had been denied victory as Farravallo moved wider on the track in the closing stages. After considerable deliberations the placings were upheld by the Judicial Committee and Farravallo kept the victory.
Bergerson was feeling a little conflicted when the protest siren went and wasn't sure how he wanted things to be resolved.
"I've never been in that situation before as we train Farravallo for Ian (Farrelly) and one of my best mates Chris Rutten, while my kids own the second horse," Bergerson said.
"We are heading to a party for Chris tonight as he is turning 65 so I guess it is the best result in the end although my family might not agree with me.
"He (Farravallo) is a very fast horse on wet tracks but he was stepping up to open company for the first time today so you couldn't be over-confident and the other bloke is also very talented on wet tracks.
"I'm really pleased for both of them and I think the winning of the race was when Khavish snuck that break at the 600m.
"I'm not too sure where they will go next, but with this spring weather we could keep getting these sorts of tracks for a few more weeks at least, so we will find something for them both."
Bred by a group that includes the late Trevor McKee and Sir Colin Meads, Farravallo was purchased for $20,000 by Rutten out of the Haunui Farm draft during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2022.
He has now won four of his 16 starts for just over $108,000 in prizemoney.
