Rakti foils Ballingarry in Italy Bruno Grizzetti`s Rakti gave the locals their first success in the Derby Italiano since Tisserand in 1988 when holding off the Aidan O`Brien-trained Ballingarry in Rome but had to survive a stewards` inquiry before being confirmed the winner.Marco Demuro produced Rakti to lead early in the straight in the 12-furlong Group One contest but his stride began to shorten with the winning post in sight as Kieren Fallon conjured a late rally out of Ballingarry with Fisich also challenging.Inside the final furlong Rakti hung to his right hampering O`Brien`s runner, who had to be switched to renew his challenge but the Italian horse held on by a length and a half.Rakti, notching his fifth successive win, was a well-backed 2.26-1 chance on the Tote.Ballingarry kept on to take second by half a length from the dogged Fisich, as the home team filled first and third.The British raiders disappointed with Spanish John, one of two Paul Cole runners, doing best of the sextet in fifth.Godolphin`s Narrative made his six rivals look second rate after making all to take the Group Two Premio Carlo d`Alessio over a mile and a half.The hotpot, confidently ridden by Ted Durcan, seized the race by the scruff of the neck by the start and sailed into a long lead down the back straight.Narrative was clear turning for home and romped home by eight lengths from the running-on Kanaris.
