The pace was nothing special here and the race rated just okay. Pleasant Endeavour produced the 7th-best final-200m (11.52) at the entire meeting and he powered to the line. There is upside with him but he will need to improve, which he might do over 1400m+. I liked the debut of Thunderstrike (SID) who hit the line well under an apprentice who wasn’t much help to him and he looks open to a fair amount of improvement.

The pace was slow through the first-800m (1.71 seconds outside of standard) and it only really picked up with 800m to run, which upgraded the win of Glorious Dragon who came from well back to win. The steady tempo arguably nullified the weight carried by him and he has always shown a good turn-of-foot. Butterfield was given every possible chance and probably should have won with the run he enjoyed, but the cream rose to the top in this one.

Another very slow first two sectionals were set here – it was a crawl and a sprint home. Mighty Giant was gifted the race, it’s as simple as that. More Than This produced the best final-400m (22.16) at the meeting and it was mathematically impossible for him to win from where he had to start his closing sprint from. However, he might be one to consider next time at this level and could provide a race with his nemesis, Golden Sixty. Waikuku returned with “blood in the trachea”, so had obvious excuses.

Note: Honest Way was found lame the next day. Trader was well supported on debut, was pressured in the lead and hung on to win. The race didn’t rate well overall but he was good, although I’m not sure he defeated much. Darci Joy was okay, along with Party Genius, but I’m a little concerned following the winner and those around him from this race (558).

The tempo was even, and they quickened things in the final quarter. Killer Bee had every possible chance, but is a progressive galloper and can win again soon. Regency Bo Bo is a handy horse on his day and the tempo and jockey booking suited, while Decisive Twelve was held-up and had excuses. Killer Bee (SID) is the one to follow going forward and clearly has more potential than most.

Note – Bullish Unicorn displayed an irregular heart rhythm, Golden Bolt returned lame. Super Winner ran basically to the exact mark he did win when winning his prior start and the ride by Moreira making every post a winner was also much the same. He can go up in class and win again. Gracylove (SID) is ready to win and Super Red Dragon hit the line very well indeed and probably on a slightly fairer track and with a slightly different race shape (with slight easing of speed in the middle stages), could easily win another one. The form will stack up well out of this one.

The pace was strong and it was a perfect set-up for the highly unreliable Maldives. I would NOT be sticking with him. All the same, it was a well-executed ride from Blake Shinn. I’m willing to forgive Vukan, who was asked to do far too much work through the first two sections of the race in particular and he can be followed, while Pure Legend will be winning in this grade. He makes the SID file and I’m happy to stick with him especially if we can get a senior rider booking.

Note: Team Power displayed an irregular heart rhythm. The pace was very strong and Hurry Hurry Gain was one of the few horses on the day to course wide and still win. He also copped a decent check at a crucial part of the race. It was some win, and I like Hurry Hurry Gain as a horse a lot. He defied a pattern (althouh the pace did suit him) but he is a horse to continue to follow.

The pace was solid and this was the best race of the day, as one would expect. It was a wipeout result for most with Amazing Star winning. The pace and pattern clearly suited him, Stronger delivered an excellent run and probably should have won. The fact he produced an 11.36 final-200m (3rd-best at meeting) off a solid tempo speaks volumes that he is up to this level and can win a race of similar strength. Beauty Applause was some run as well given the early work he did. I believe the three-wide line for Wellington and Sky Field played against them, and might have bene a reflection of the track pattern on the day as much as anything, so to an extent, one could be forgiving of their efforts.

The pace was solid early and Private Rocket was close enough to the pace, so it was a decent effort, but then again the pattern helped. Kasi Farasi seemingly had his chance and I’m not sure about his desire to put his nose infront of other horses. Once again, the rail delivered the first-three home and that probably played against Winning For All (4th) and Perfect To Great (3rd) who coursed wide from the 500m.