This Listed Open Handicap over 1200m saw the favourite Princess Kereru prevail with ease in what was an all run on finish for the top three. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were fifth (three-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), second (three-off the inside a head from the leader), led, (three-off the inside and a neck ahead), second (four-off the inside and a head from the leader), fifth (three-off the inside and three and a half lengths from the leader), seventh (six-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), second (five-off the inside and one length from the leader) and second (three-off the inside and neck from the leader). Princess Kereru has been in sparkling form this year and it started on New Years Day when second at G1in the Railway (1200m) at Ellerslie beaten a long neck and she likely wins the race if not so close in the run home on the clearly slower lanes presented. Since then she has been unlucky at G3 then won at G3 then was a close second Listed level before today scoring at Listed level. It needs to be noted that she has never had a double-digit draw this year and in sprinting that helps no end. The mare was tardy today and then recovered to be sixth the inner before getting off near the home turn and surging from fifth to be third at the 200m, Her momentum was too superior and the 5yo mare led at the 100m to score by a length and a quarter in 1:10.73, a sedate time considering how the race was run early and helped closers. It was her seventh win from twenty-five starts and she has been placed eight times plus been top five in twenty of her starts so is very genuine. Endless Drama was absolutely massive coming from last with a huge finish down the outer to get second on the post. He carried 60kg (4.5kg more than the winner) and was coming back 400m on his last start close up fourth at G2 over a mile. This Irish bred entire has only won three races lifetime (two came at Naas, County Kildare in Ireland and one of those on debut as a juvenile) and has found New Zealand depth very easy indeed Cavallo Veloce, a 3yo, staggeringly was able to run home hard and get a Listed third against the older horses. He has this season tried G2 and G3 and Listed against his own group five times for one second (fresh up on Slow footing) and two fourths and two flops (eighth (G2) and eleventh (G3)). It is scary the lack of depth in the Open Class ranks and sprinting is the shallowest for sure but is now apparent at all levels and ages with WFA the other glaring hollowness and stayers have gone by the wayside too. Passing Shot sat outside the leader and led at the 250m before being headed at the 100m and was beaten just under three lengths. He was the first runner home from on the pace to the home turn and that looking at the finish is somewhat meaningful. Pretty To Sea settled back but was running on okay for fifth at the 50m but was over four lengths from the winner. Rock 'N' Affair weakened from handy the outer and Spring Heat never unleashed like she can from back on the inner. Vinnie's Volley led up and stopped while Power O'Hata got back and wide and had no finish. Over eight lengths away at the line was Hugo The Boss outclassed then the last two home were absolute flops in Volks Lightning and Sasso Corbaro. Volks Lightning trailed the leader and stopped badly to be beaten almost nine lengths and it seemed an inexplicable shocker but stable reports since have suggested the mare swallowed a clod or clods of dirt. Sasso Corbaro got back and wide and never unwound a sustained finish like she can and was almost beaten a dozen lengths with the blinker application a possible dud move causing her disinterest. This looked a hard run race but the time says it was not and the amount of flops can only be down to the track or how the runners were presented. Princess Kereru is an in form sprinter and while low enough in the weights is always dangerous. Just how strong this race and result in looks suspect as Endless Drama coming back 400m and uncorking a huge run from the back showed and a 3yo that struggled at times to be Blacktype competitive against his own age group can finish third against the older horses proved.