A ground-saving ride from apprentice Jackie Beriman aboard Fast And Free has helped to end the winning run of rival Akavoroun at Moonee Valley.

Akavoroun won his first four starts on predominantly provincial tracks but drifted from $1.75 to $2.10 for his bid to stretch his winning streak to five in the Sportingbet Best Tote Plus Handicap (1500m) on Saturday.

Akavoroun's jockey Michelle Payne kept her mount in the middle of the track throughout the race while Beriman stuck to the inside rail on Fast And Free.

Winning trainer Mick Price said he told Beriman, who was riding for him for the first time, that he would bear the brunt of any criticism for letting Fast And Free race on what had been widely regarded as the inferior section of ground.

"I said, `the owner will be watching and if you get beaten up on the fence, I'll take the blame for you'," Price said.

"She was drawn barrier one when the fence was supposed to be off but how many times do you see it turn around by the last (race)?"

Fast And Free ($15) didn't go around a horse and the five-year-old maintained his effort to the line to beat Akavoroun by 1-1/4 lengths.

Price said he would consider attempting to qualify Fast And Free for the Listed VRC Winter Championship Final at Flemington next month.

Payne felt the shifty Moonee Valley track played against Akavoroun but said the gelding could also be in need of a spell.

"He's probably better on big, open tracks as well," Payne said.

"He's done nothing wrong and he still ran a great race."