KEY POINTS:
Anxiety over-rode pain as little known trainer Piri Ranui claimed her biggest win with outsider Donna Rosita in the $200,000 Waiwera Infinity Railway Handicap at Ellerslie yesterday.
Seven weeks after suffering major vertebrae and shoulder fractures in a training-track fall, Ranui discarded her neck-brace for earrings to take
her place on the day that traditionally kicks off the New Year.
The 16-1 shot Donna Rosita combined with leading jockey Lisa Cropp as she charged through on the inside and downed the two favourites Gee In Jane and Imananabaa.
But just as the winning connections were lining up for the trophy presentation the siren sounded, instigating a protest by Imananabaa's jockey Cameron Lammas who alleged interference in the final 100 metres.
Ranui had never been in such a situation before and, despite not even knowing him, summonsed transtasman trainer Graeme Rogerson to the stewards room to successfully plead her case.
"I knew from Graeme's performance in the judicial room at Ruakaka last year that he would do a good job for me," she said.
Ranui was referring to her friend Kenny Raes losing the Northland Breeders' Stakes when his horse Seven Hills was relegated behind Amazing Me.
"I didn't agree with that decision, but that was a good enough reason to ask Graeme to help me."
Even without Rogerson's input, the placings would most likely have stood. Stipendiary steward Cameron George's submission that Imananabaa contributed significantly to the contact that took place between her and the winner would have been telling.
Donna Rosita, one of a handful of horses that Ranui trains at Kumeu, promised plenty right from the time - she first appeared at the races, winning two of her first three starts as a late two-year-old in the winter of 2005.
Hopes of a major win were revived when she finished third in the Newmarket Handicap on Boxing Day but she was still well out of the reckoning as far as punters were concerned.
The winning ride was a lucky one for Cropp in more ways than one. She was originally booked to ride Inshelucky, but the one scratching that mare needed to gain a start failed to eventuate.
This Railway victory was Cropp's second in a row after Baldessarini 12 months earlier and her fourth in 18 years.
Donna Rosita is raced by her Kumeu breeders, officially known as Roselane Thoroughbreds Ltd and comprising Jim and Kay Wheeler and their daughter Paulette.
For the third year running Gee I Jane had to settle for second, and as in the previous instances there was an element of bad luck involved.
After settling well off the pace and having trouble balancing up at the top of the straight, she stormed home but the post came up a half-head too soon.
Imananabaa, whose momentum was noticeably affected when she made contact with Donna Rosita, was just a short neck back in third.
Unlucky runners included Fiorenza, who struck the running rail while attempting to poke up inside the weakening Solvini. She finished last, but as an indication of the compact finish, she was less than seven lengths from the winner.
The hot pace set up front made the race for the swoopers.