Tivaci has landed the C.S Hayes Stakes at Flemington despite Palentino being the first past the post.
The Hayes was a messy race with the pace dropping right out in the middle stages which led to plenty of horses being severely checked.
Palentino was one of them caught up in a backwash that ultimately led to him coming back onto runner-up Tivaci at the 900m mark.
Tivaci ran right up to Palentino passing the 200m mark but Palentino rallied back to be first past the post.
Tulsa ran an improved race in third in a race where countless runs back in the field were well worth forgiving.
"The first 600m of the race I couldn't have been happier, he was just relaxing beautifully," said Palentino's trainer Darren Weir prior to news of the protest.
"Things didn't go ideally from then, and halfway down the straight we thought he was in trouble, but he dug deep late.
"He did it the right way today. He had to dig deep and he was in for the fight. He stuck his head out at the right time. It was a relay courageous win in the end."
The prizemoney went the way of Tivaci but the honours are probably with Palentino heading to the Australian Guineas.
Earlier on the card the fillies contested the Vanity over the same 1400m course and the winner was the Tony McEvoy-trained Don't Doubt Mama that came out on top.
The well fancied Perfect Reflection had to settle for third after settling back in the field but all honours were with the winner and connections will now also consider the Australian Guineas.
"It (running in the Australian Guineas) is tempting," said McEvoy.
"She'll do the talking, we'll see how she comes through it. She's pretty uncomplicated
"There's the Frances Tressady, there's the Guineas, or we could go three weeks to the Coolmore.
"It’s a great position to be in."
