The G3 Concorde, once a staple diet race at Avondale but now at Ellerslie even though the other track is back operating again, produced a ding donger finish today. The first two home In Style, a mare, and the hot favourite male Ryan Mark were clear of the rest at the line after setting down to a war over the final 300m. In Style when narrowly headed by Ryan Mark the closing stages came back at him and out-toughed the 4yo gelding surprisingly after both had soft runs throughout until the home turn. The 5yo mare was winning her sixth race in thirteen outings today and has good gate speed on decent footing. The 4yo gelding was having his eighth start today and now has six wins and two seconds plus he has speed but also can sit then pounce. The winning time was 1:09.61 and for comparison the race prior a Ratings 75 was run and won in 1:10.39 by a tidy sort in Allez Eagle over his useful stablemate Sancerre. The Concorde was four and a half lengths superior and when you consider Allez Eagle may well run in the G1 Railway now he has won clockwise here at Ellerslie, it adds some merit to the result. Ironically a Ratings 85 result at Hastings in October run and won in 1:08.87 had a big bearing on the two feature sprint races held in New Zealand today here at Ellerslie and also at Trentham. Ryan Mark won it by a long neck from Adventador (won the Listed sprint at Trentham today) with In Style third a further long neck back. Mosse ran on well the inside late for third here and he is going top peak for the G1 Railway and/or G1 Telegraph for sure. Sierra Beel puts some doubt on the race result worth when coming home solidly late for fourth down the outer as this 6yo mare had only won a second race prior too today. How she is competitive in this G3 field is more than a tad worrisome. Trepidation ran on well late and is close to form. Ruud Awakening was disappointing and even after she forced open her gate a fraction early there was no excuse the way she weakened the run home. Pinzaara was swamped late after burning over to lead early and running along to the home turn while Shelford next home was wide and used early to go up second then attack. Shelford is a winner in waiting as soon as he gets a decent barrier but hopefully the tank is not empty by then or he is sour from being slaughtered since coming to New Zealand. Whosyourmaster plugged on and needs rain while Durham Town got going late but can be forgiven as he barged his gate open a fraction early. The difference between him and Ruud Awakening was he ended up last the outer and she was soon handy to the pace on settling. Durham Town can be included the next time out in the combinations. Time After Time can be forgiven too after an awkward start and settling in the rear quartet then getting sent up the widest runner at the 400m. Little Wonder had a hard run wide after an average start and is not the same sprinter that was G1 placed third (behind Bounding and Waterford) in the Railway this very course in New Years Day 2013. The winning mare In Style has come solid this season clearly and is now a mature enough 5yo to handle racing but must have decent underfoot conditions. Ryan Mark lost no admirers but will be meeting more fearsome opposition come the G1 Railway and even more so the G1 Telegraph. Mosse is peaking perfectly for the races that matter while Trepidation can do something of note this season for her new yard. The effort of Sierra Beel is the worry from a form perspective and worth as she should not be able to come from eighth halfway up the home straight and grab fourth on the line in this field at G3. Ruud Awakening will need to turn it around next start or her reputation will start to tatter markedly if it has not already begun to form fray. Pinzaara if she works less early and is not taken on to the home turn will bounce back next time in the right race. Shelfold could win the G1 Railway if he got a start in it and a draw as he must be getting sick of being gassed and slaughtered from bad barriers. Just to show this race and result has that not quite right feel about it with so many of the also rans having legitimate excuses, we find three of the last four home at least can form reverse next time out. Whosyourmaster needs some cut in the ground while Durham Town and Time After Time need a proper getaway. Even the last horse home Little Wonder can do better next time out if all is well health wise. Is the G1 Railway or G1 Telegraph winner in this field? Possibly but with the likes of Bounding and Natuzzi plus perhaps the 3yo Vespa then nothing can be guaranteed.