This Listed 3yo at 2100m was won and run in a very sedate 2:14.16 on a day where the times were all sluggish at Ellerslie. Thunder Down Under has been waiting for middle distance to show his worth and buried them from last on settling with the key factor being he got a clear unimpeded run at his rivals. The Australian bred colt was winning his first race today but had been going some big races prior including a G3 here on the track too. The rail out substantially at Ellerslie causes congestion and in the bigger fields, when they get them, the hard luck stories both in racing patterns and the run home abound. The official runner up Splendido, a maiden, ran on gamely from the midfield and was in a logjam of runners at the 200m lodging a bid. He crossed the line third but was promoted by officials into second over Zacada, which was the dead stiff runner that started odds on. Zacada from a good draw got buried further back on the inner than surely ever intended and was in a perilous spot across the top. He was bolting near the home turn and angled off but ran into slammed shut doors and was in a total pocket. His rider drove through in very tight quarters two-off the closing stages and reached second at the 50m only to be relegated back to third afterwards by officials. He was a moral beaten no two ways about it but when the rail is out here so far then back on the inner is a no go let alone stay zone. Prodigal Son, another maiden, fought well for fourth after trailing the leaders then hitting the front at the 200m. Battle Plan led up and wilted so was not disgraced while the filly Head Spin ran on okay but needs a less biased track and clearly a stronger run race. Tessastock ran on nicely late and this maiden filly has Oaks written all over her plus being out of a Zabeel dam is a key tick. Street Smart was not too bad after being back and wide on a track when the rail is out plenty plays very biased so give him another chance. The rest were either outclassed or need rain-affected footing. Thunder Down Under is a Derby player in the autumn as he will run the trip and be strong the run home. Splendido was good for a maiden and his dam won three of here five wins at 2000m to 2100m. Zacada is a Derby player for sure when his yard figure out if he is best leading or being ridden cold as his career to date has seen him handled in vastly different ways. Tessastock the filly to follow from the race. Just maybe this slowly run Listed race on a biased track could provide legitimate Derby and Oaks players at G1 later in the season.