Robert Havlin won the 129th Derby Italiano Better aboard Feuerblitz in Capanelle on Sunday.
Havlin teamed up with the German trained colt in Rome in a race that was widely expected to go to Frankie Dettori's mount Real Solution.
However, Michael Figge's son of Big Shuffle lowered the favourite's colours, paying a compliment to the well-regarded Black Arrow who he had chased home on his previous start.
Previously unbeaten in three starts, Real Solution had won his two races this year by a combined distance of 12 lengths.
He carries the colours of American owner Ken Ramsey, who booked Dettori, and was reportedly being aimed at the King Edward VII Stakes.
Real Solution, however, could finish only sixth around six lengths behind Havlin who scored by a short-neck from Stefano Botti's Wild Wolf.
Botti also saddled the third home, Smoking Joe, who was a further length and a quarter adrift.
Dettori had been in action earlier on the card, having to settle for second aboard Frankenstein in a head bobbing finish to the Group Three Premio Carlo d'Alessio while his mount in the Listed Premio ITS ex Tullio Rigthetti, Roma Kitten, could finish only seventh.
The Italian's afternoon didn't get any better as the former Richard Hannon trained Moustache, a joint-favourite, failed to trouble the principals in the Group Three Premio Tudini after the Derby.
