This G3 sprint over 1200m under Open Handicap conditions saw the 9yo Prince Oz bury his opposition and pay a fitting tribute to his recently departed trainer Neill Ridley. The gelding ran well fresh up in October when prepared by Ridley then had one run for his new yard of Terri Rae before winning this by well over a length in 1:10.02. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were eleventh (eight off the inside and four lengths from the leader), fifth (four-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), fifth (five-off the inside and a length from the leader), fifth (five-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), third (two-off the inside and a length from the leader), ninth (one-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), sixteenth (on the fence and six lengths from the leader), led (three-off the inside and a neck in front), tenth (eight-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), seventh (six-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), fifth (one-off the inside and length and a half from the leader) and second (five-off the inside and neck from the leader). Only one leader won in all of this meeting today so the run on types had a field day. Prince Oz was today winning his tenth race in thirty-one starts and it was his second win in this G3 event having scored in 2018. He was ridden cold and sat back second last then surged the second widest runner turning for home and came with an irresistible run to lead with 25m to go and scored at $31. Such was his finishing speed and power he won by almost a length and a half and carrying 55kg clearly made a difference. Rocanto ran a game second after racing fifth and wide and moving up to lead at the 300m then going clear for his apprentice rider it should be noted too in a non-claiming race. The 8yo gelding had last won a race in January of this year and looked set to prevail at $41 but could not repel the unstoppable surge of Prince Oz the closing stages. Puysegur ran a game third with the Australian bred 4yo mare backing up well from the first day when an honest fourth at Listed level. Today she raced third between runners and then turned for home fifth surrounded before sustaining a game finish to reach third at the 50m. Turncoat ran home strongly for fourth and was beaten less than a length and three-quarters after being back and held up turning for home. The 8yo gelding flew late once into clear air and should have paid a dividend. Fifth home and beaten three and a half lengths was Wekaforce that raced second the outer and took over at the 400m only to be headed 100m later and weaken. Miss Federer set the pace but once headed at the 400m wilted from third at the 300m and her racing days are now over such has been the soundness problems she has encountered. She chipped a knee again in this race. Johnny Jones the 8yo gelding ran an honest seventh having run eighth in it last year and tenth in it the year before. Enzo's Lad raced very wide back early and came up deep midrace and turned there for home but he felt his 60kg. His stablemate Sensei again flopped second up when a clear favourite here after being last away and then getting angled the widest runner turning for home. The rest got beaten over eight lengths and as much as a dozen lengths with Princess Amelie the North Island raider the last one home. She had run third in this event a year ago. Prince Oz relished carrying just 55kg and won too well and easily to make hard luck cards for anything and it was as fitting tribute to his late and great trainer Neil Ridley.