Halverson wins the VOBIS GOLD Carat at The Valley (Image: Racing Photos)
There was an upset result in the VOBIS Gold Carat (1200m) at The Valley on Friday night, with $18 outsider Halvorsen claiming the lucrative $180,000 race for trainer Robbie Griffiths and jockey Andrew Mallyon.
The son of Magnus out of Flourishing, defeated his more fancied three year-old rivals including the Nick Ryan-trained Columbus Circle and Darren Weir's Fiorente gelding Hawkshot.
The win was made even sweeter for the Cranbourne stable, with Halvorsen being a home bred gelding, with Griffiths having previously bred his dam after purchasing his grand dam.
"He's got plenty of talent but as you can see with all the gear on him he's a bit eager to get on with the show," said jockey Andrew Mallyon.
"But even from where I was I couldn't be anymore eager in the run just on how well he switched off and I knew especially getting that good drag around the corner that he'd give me a good turn of foot."
It was Halvorsen's eighth start for three wins and three placings.
WATCH - Griffiths' stable representative Don Healy
WATCH - Jockey Andrew Mallyon after winning race 3 at The Valley