When Cranbourne trainer Doug Harrison first spotted Falcent in the pouring rain in New Zealand he knew he had to have him.

The three-year-old didn't let him down at Flemington with a track that was soaked all night by heavy rain and much of Saturday.

Falcent ($7), ridden by Dwayne Dunn, proved himself to be a real mudlark as he fought off Bombsquad ($9) to win by a short half-head with Stick On ($4) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

In a pre-sale breeze-up in New Zealand Falcent impressed in the wet and Harrison said he was keen to get him.

Falcent raced in the Victoria Racing Club's all-white colours after the jockey's silks were left behind in the truck and not even a 300-metre dash by Harrison was timely enough.

Dunn said Falcent was strong enough to resist a challenge from Bombsquad.

"Doug knows the talent's there and it's just a matter of getting him into the right races and the right form," Dunn said.

Before the race Impulse Boy ($10) got away from his jockey Kayla Nisbet in the mounting yard and damaged three fences before he could be brought under control.

Both rider and horse escaped serious injury.