This G1 2000m at WFA was badly affected when two of the top three chances on paper were scratched namely Volkstok’n’barrell (injury) and Sofia Rosa (went to Sydney to race at Rosehill). The sedate run race overall saw a ten-horse field not really change much in the running after the initial opening quarter or so of a three-horse speed duel. Lizzie Amour caused a minor surprise in winning by half a head in 2:03.64 to record her fifth win in eleven starts. The 4yo mare was scoring in her first G1 attempt having been an already G3 handicap winner and did so today after getting a good sit fifth the outer. She took the lead with 200m to go and faced only one threat the final stages with the post coming up just in time. Benzini came from sixth the fence with a sustained surge and was one stride away from winning, which was all the more impressive as he had not raced since December 11 in Hong Kong. Sound Proposition was also fresh up and ran on well from the back for third in what is his first official placing at 2000m or more. Consensus was a game fourth and only lost third money and the G1 placing on the line, after she was working on the speed early before dropping in third the outer. The mare was asked to move before the home turn so in effect was used up twice in the running and after leading at the 300m wilted a tad to be beaten a length and three-quarters. Kawi was a monumental flop as an odds on pop and his fifth beaten over two lengths was lacklustre. He trailed the pace on the inner but once angled off the run home showed no ping or use of his size to try and intimidate rivals. The 1400m is his best trip then the mile with middle distance now a risk and today was a mediocre time overall so it should have suited him as usually it is solidly run races at this general trip that find him out every time. Von Tunzelman ran a sound race for a handicapper and has it all ahead but may now be WFA quality in New Zealand next season. Authentic Paddy has run two poor races in a row now so maybe he has had enough for the time being but with him you never know as he races almost all year around. Maygrove was not that bad for a handicapper while Sierra Beel and Seventeen Seventy were outclassed as expected. This field lacked genuine depth once the two big scratchings occurred and the best four left in the race on paper ended up filling just one placing staggeringly. The result looks iffy to say the least and handicappers finished first and third.