This G3 1200m Open under set weights and penalties was run at a solid clip so no surprise then that the dividend payers were all closers. Splurge has needed time but has come good this summer and the 4yo surged home impressively from fifth to win by a length and a quarter in 1:09.27. He cost half a million as a yearling hence the name it would be fair to assume and today was winning his sixth race from ten starts at significantly his first blacktype attempt. Now a gelding, which could be a regret at this stage, as he has won both directions and from 1200k to a mile plus on all types of footing. Volks Lightning ran on well from seventh on settling and actually strode to the lead with 100m to go but could not repel the more sustained surge of Splurge the final 50m. This pair formed the quinella in late January at Trentham but Volks Lightning won that day by a length carrying 59kg and giving Splurge 2.5kg. Today saw Splurge give Volks Lightning 2.5kg and beat him just over a length. Rangipo, the winner of the Derby here a year ago, ran on powerfully from well back for third and it shows how much easier the depth is in New Zealand overall. He has been demolished in three Australian starts since the Derby win but will get that winning feeling back now if he stays healthy. Prior to today he was unbeaten at Ellerslie. Snowdrop was the first runner home near the pace and after trailing the leaders worked off and hit the lead at the 200m only to be headed at the 100m. Natuzzi ran on strongly as he always does but a slow start did not help his cause though the 8yo likes to have one shot at them. Reilly Lincoln wilted from third or fourth the outer while Red Striker was just fair. Saracino was taken on by Passing Shot and both punctured the final 200m. Speech Craft was ordinary but Irish Moon is a total forgive as held up badly at the 300m when having plenty to offer and was actually throttled back the closing stages with no clear air whatsoever. Splurge is raced by the same syndicate that had Xtravagant, which never fired a shot in Australia at and in fact never paid a dividend. Xtravagant is now at stud and with a diminished reputation after all those crushing defeats but Splurge is a gelding so no trying to protect his record is required. He would be suited by Queensland and the level of depth that tackles that winter carnival. This should be a decent source locally as the sprinting ranks are thin and lots of older horses are kept racing now as the depth is not there plus these set weights and penalties events are purely to keep the older horses running and to try and ensure field sizes stay worthwhile.