This was clearly the standout griffin performance of the season, with a very good number posted here by California Spangle. He led from start to finish and defeated a previous winner in good style. He will be one to follow next season.

It was not a bad win here by For Fun’s Sake, who was the lowest-rated galloper in the event and he clearly handled the conditions better than most. I’m not sure how often we will get similar conditions but he was sound, while Telecom Missile has now run two good races since joining this stable and looks the most likely to notch a win in the short term.

Sky Treasure found the right part of the track and prevailed. Overall the race rated just okay, but there was some merit to the run of Ruby Stars who closed well. Hard to get too enthusiastic about it overall however.

It was a smart win by the debutant Blaze Warrior who has posted a very good number on his first race start. Based on this effort, he will handle a rise in grade and prove competitive again. Fire Ball was sound, but Vukan (final-200m of 11.00) also caught the eye. He might appreciate a step up in trip again. Overall, I expect this race to work out well as a form reference.

This was a very high rating dirt race for this grade and clearly Dashing Fit is a bit special, notwithstanding he did have the pattern in his favour. The Best Hero continues to run well and is close to a win, so he makes the SID file, and I expect the winner to go on with it.

The pace was very fast here, which was the perfect set up for City Legend who, when he gets those conditions and race shape, seems to thrive and post good numbers. That considered, the effort of Free Foal was very good as he was a part of the ealry pace and he still managed to fill the frame. Awe went much better with the blinkers applied as well.

NOTE: Party Genius returned lame. The pace was only even here and Bulb Pals reeled off the 11th-best final-400m (22.46) of the meeting. It suggests to me those on pace aren’t anything special and he was sound but nothing really great either. Gracylove was three-wide with no cover and that was the difference between winning and losing.

Master Eight was gifted a soft lead and that was all she wrote. He has improved again on his debut and looks a nice prospect. The Golden Scenery (SID) created a positive impression on his Hong Kong debut and with natural improvement from this run he does look one to follow next time.

Man Star seems to handle any conditions on the dirt surface and notched another win, but it didn’t rate as anything special. I’m not sure how much to take note from this event as track conditions were deplorable.

The first-three horses past-the-post were the last-three on the home turn, which you rarely see on the AWT, but this also highlighted the bias and tempo to an extent. Highly Proactive was sound enough on the worst part of the track and Californiadeepshot also ran on quite well.

The pace really picked up from the 800m but it was a pretty dominant win by Ultra Express who went to another level again with a light weight. He might have more in store. Most of those in behind him are racing to their mark and I’m not sure there was anthing special to note.