This G3 3yo event at 2000m was run at an ordinary clip on a very tricky slow Awapuni track but still saw three of the best performed quartet in the field trifecta the event. The field lacked genuine depth once outside three NZ Derby runners Charles Road (sixth in Derby), Beaumarchais (fourth) and Leading Role (thirteenth) and an in form Gorbachev. The two best runners on known ability Charles Road and Beaumarchais settled down in the rear trio and improved wide across the top on a track that head-scratchingly had the false rail out the smallest possible increment of 1m. The inside was a total no go zone from the outset and every race saw runners steered well off the fence throughout the running so the rail being out was futile. Charles Road, an Australian bred, surged home second widest down the outer to lead with 50m to go and scored by a comfortable half a length in 2:09.68 to record his second win in seven starts. The gelding is a strong closer but did finish second at G2 behind Gingernuts (the G1 NZ Derby winner) in a lead up event over 2100m after sitting second the outer so has some versatility. Beaumarchais ran on the widest stoutly for second having beaten home Charles Road in the Derby. The score between this pair is two to one regards Charles Road beating home Beaumarchais at the post with today being the first time both paid a dividend together. Leading Role ran well and in fact came from the rear trio on settling too except he was steered up the ruck at the 300m and surged through to second at the 200m before hitting a clear lead at the 150m. He was passed with 50m to go but fought on well for third beaten a length in his first show of form since December and clearly can swim a bit. The Cossack was fifth the outer on settling but made a run up third wide at the halfway mark and fought on doggedly for fourth beaten just under a length and a half. Battle Tank fought on okay for fifth and appreciated the wet footing as did The Cossack clearly too. Gorbachev sat second early before being fourth midrace then came through and led halfway up the run home only to be passed and not show his true fight at the 150m. He boxed on okay and can swim but his sixth was a tad disappointing overall as along with the first three home he was the other runner of any note in the line-up. Handful was not disgraced but the wet ground helped him immeasurably too and gave the result that asterisk due to the footing. The rest got beaten substantially and the last runner home Rosso Corso had a nightmare wide run the whole way and will sleep well. The two best runners on ability formed the quinella and the winner looks to have the most upside and the one runner that does not need slow or heavy ground to perform. The tricky wet ground and track presented today does put a legitimate query on the result as it is very doubtful that the fourth, fifth and seventh finishers would be that close at the line on decent footing.