So it's probably a good thing Kenny Rae didn't see the Falvelon gelding's ''wheels'' before he bought him for $10,000 at a Magic Millions sale in 2010.
''I didn't actually see his legs when I looked at him,'' Rae said.
''No wonder I got him cheap.''
Those legs certainly held up to the task at Cromwell yesterday when Fullavino registered his fifth career win, pouncing on Bowling Boy in the final strides of the rating 85 1220m.
Rae was hoping for rain to ease the jarring on Fullavino's legs, but was inspired by the gelding's trackwork earlier in the week.
''He worked on Thursday morning at Riccarton and it was first-class,'' Rae said.
''He's a honest horse. He probably lacks a wee bit in class, but he's getting better and better.
''He's got shocking front legs, but they don't slow him down.''
Fullavino has won his races throughout the country, breaking maidens at Rae's home track of Ruakaka in August 2011, before adding to his win tally at Rotorua, Timaru and Hokitika in the last 12 months.
The 4yr-old's success, in spite of his legs, has Rae re-evaluating his opinion on the value of conformation.
''He's defying the odds, Rae said.
''If anyone says you need a horse with great conformation to win a race, they're liars.
''He's never had a day of shin-soreness in his life.''
Rae, who trains in partnership with wife Lisa, is quite partial to Cromwell, having won with Faalcon in 2009 and Rustalli in 2010, and he enjoys the summer period when his team is based at Riccarton - a long way from their Ruakaka base in Northland.
''The people down here are great,'' he said.
''One of the owners of Absolut Excelencia, Dave McHugh, runs the Yaldhurst Hotel, and I stay there with Dave.
''I couldn't afford to stay in motels down here, I just couldn't.''
