On a tricky dead Arawa Park track this Listed 1950m under Open Handicap conditions saw as usual the mares dominate and fill the first four finishing spots over the line. Fillies and mares unsurprisingly dominate the New Zealand racing season as they get so many benefits from weight relief and higher stakes and incentives to more black type opportunities and can run in almost every single race. Windflower won this by a nose after sitting sixth the outer in a good position and not spending a penny in the running before being asked to lengthen across the top. She strode up and led turning in before having a lone serious challenger at the 100m only to repel it by the barest margin in 1:59.46. The time was a couple of lengths only superior to the race prior for Ratings 65 runners, which was an underwhelming line up and that are in theory three or four grades inferior. It was the fourth win in fourteen starts for the 5yo mare and her first piece of blacktype to go with a fourth at G3 last Autumn. Snow Secret was a game runner up in only her second outing this season after sitting one spot behind her conqueror but when she ranged up with 100m to go it looked her race for the taking. She lost the bob however in a ding donger and just maybe that core fitness of Wildflower having a fourth start for the season counted when it matters. Angel In Blue Jeans trailed the leaders on the inner and fought on for third over two and a half lengths away. The 6yo mare has been a revelation since joining this stable and now has a Listed third on her resume. Hello M’Lady ran a sound fourth after settling back and she ran home well as usual to be beaten just under four lengths. The first male home was the topweight Maygrove that sat fifth the inner, which for a usual on pacer was surprising in itself. Eva Jensine, another mare, ran on okay from the back while the clear leader Joe Cargo weakened once headed but he was rising three grades today. Call Doubt was outclassed and Jochen Rindt and Jayla Monet were dreadful. Not a very strong field at all and full of swimmers and Winter gallopers that have been up for an eternity it seems with the never-ending wet tracks presented and on offer. Windflower and Snow Secret can go on with it as both have not had the tank emptied already this season. Hello M’Lady may need slow or wetter ground but while the weather is still iffy and tracks keep getting over-watered, she may have more opportunities. Maygrove was second up so still have some Cups to contest in New Zealand and better footing is now his wheelhouse.