This G2 for 2yo fillies only over 1200m saw a maiden fresh up in Aretha belt out a winning tune after trailing the leaders to the home turn, so race positionally came from the same spot as the Listed colts and geldings juvenile winner held earlier in the day. Aretha handled the Slow7 presented Matamata track better than the rest and won by a nose in 1:12.52, so the fillies ran three lengths inferior to the boys. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were third (four-wide turning in and a neck behind the leader), fourth (six-off turning in and a length behind the leader), fourth (trail inner and a length behind the leader), second (three-off and a length behind the leader), led (five-off the fence), second (on the fence and half a length behind the leader), third (five off the fence and half a length behind the leader) and sixth (four-off the fence and four lengths from the leader). On debut Aretha ran third at G2 over 1100m on Slow8 and the winner that day was Aotea Lad, a distant second today in the Listed colts and geldings event. The value of Aretha is off the charts now after having two starts for a G2 win and G2 third and she likes rain-affected footing clearly plus has tactical speed. Her third dam is the great Horlicks so she can only get better with age and racing. Rainbow Dash led up and fought hoof and nail to the line to go down a nostril flare. Aalaalune ran home very strongly for third after being rear and wide for much of the race and she can really unleash once in full stride. She was beaten less than a length and notably at her prior run had found the line well for sixth in the Listed Karaka Million (1200m). The maiden filly now has a G2 and Listed placing and surely her maiden status cannot continue for much longer. Bella Mente was wide and working throughout so ran a sound fourth as she never threw in the towel. Harlow was one of five runners away tardily and the quintet could clearly be seen in a separate line from the rest at the jump. She did okay all things factored in and has some upside. The race commentary on the start of this G2 feature is totally misleading and shown up as not being reality as to what actually happened so disregard it when it when the caller says the race start was a 'perfect dispatch'. Tell the backers of Bavella the hot favourite that was true as she got crowded at the jump and then never looked a possibility thereafter. The stipes report says three runners were not away properly (two crowded and the other ran out at the start and caused it) but two others were a tad tardy clearly too in Aalaalune (which runs third) and Appellant (the clear second favourite). Bavella ran on okay to be beaten less than four lengths but the start was key and hers and four others was anything but a perfect dispatch. Glenda Goodwitch raced fourth the outer and weakened while Beauty Diva, which shifted out at the start caused strife for others, sat second the outer on settling and weakened. Beauty Diva had in her previous run finished fifth in the Listed Karaka Million (1200m), so that form stood up in the two Blacktype juvenile events today but also sat down as well. Appellant never got in to the race after a tardy start and was very ordinary so it cannot be the footing as she has won on a bog plus the filly deadheated for third in the listed Karaka Million (1200m). Madam Pompom was outclassed and beaten out of sight plus she got crowded at the start so was never a hope anyway. The start of this G2 race was pivotal indeed as the leader and trailer formed the quinella, while the third finisher was tardy and came from the rear and wide but would have won if not so far back and deep on settling for sure. Aretha has scope galore and the runner up Rainbow Dash is going places too while everyone can see Aalaalune as a Group winner in waiting. This will be a rich source for not just what is left of this season but for their 3yo careers too. So many of these can be forgiven due to the anything but perfecta start plus the footing presented was very viscous and many absolutely hated the gelatinous track nature.