Farravallo strikes for Bergerson at Trentham

[Wandering Eyes]

The winning run of the progeny of former Haunui Farm shuttle stallion Belardo continued on Saturday when his three-year-old son Farravallo (NZ) (Belardo) took out the opening event over 1000m at Trentham.

Although facing only four rivals, the Royden Bergerson-prepared runner was up against the unbeaten Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained representative Pokuru Gold who was sent out a $1.60 Fixed Odds favourite by punters as he sought his fourth win in a row.

Apprentice Jim Chung made good use of his 3kg claim as he sent Farravallo straight to front from the start and kept the pressure on despite racing four and five wide on the Heavy 10 surface.

Chung angled Farravallo even wider in the home straight as he picked a path next to the outside rail, with the move paying dividends as he kept up a powerful gallop to defeat Bella Timing and Brazenbelle, with Pokuru Gold in fourth after struggling in the testing conditions.

Bergerson was happy to put his first win on the board with the horse who had had just the one prior run for him after transferring from the stable of Paul Richards.

“I was pretty confident when they came across the crossing and I could see Sam’s horse (Pokuru Gold) dipping and diving everywhere,” he said.

“It was a good ride by Jimmy as he has come of age with his riding.

“I said to him today in a small field you just won’t know what may happen and he has ridden him well, just as he has been riding Bradman the same way for me.

“He is a strong horse who is pretty quick, and I think he will go well on the Poly (synthetic surface at Awapuni) as he should fly on that.

“I said to his owners he should be hard to beat today.

“He’s got a nice future if we keep him to this sort of distance.”

Chung was also pleased with the result after staying wide for the better going on offer.

“It wasn’t the plan to lead but he jumped nice, so I just let him go,” he said.

“I think the outside fence is the place to go as the track is very heavy.”

Raced by Ian Farrelly and Chris Rutten, Farravallo was purchased for $20,000 by Rutten out of the Haunui Farm draft during the Book 2 sale at Karaka in 2022.

He joined Te Rapa maiden winner Barcelona and three-year-old Caitlyns Wish as early winners on the day for his sire Belardo, who shuttled to Haunui Farm between 2017 and 2022.

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