The G2 2000m at WFA for fillies and mares was run at a solid clip throughout so no surprise to see closers quinella the event. Rasa Lila never went around a horse until near the home turn then under a grip strode up soon after turning for home and led at the 250m before powering clear to win by three lengths in 2:01.35. The mare had run prior a close and luckless third in the G1 Easter Handicap (1600m) and relished the rise to 2000m today. She was back tenth the inner a lap out then kept improving the fence to sixth midrace and then worked off at the 450m. It was her seventh win from twenty-six starts and she has rarely been beaten too far in her New Zealand career. Abidewithme ran home strongly for second after also coming through the G1 Easter prior where she ran on stoutly late for ninth beaten two and a half lengths. Today she settled in the rear but was tenth the fence midrace and eighth across the top before working off and into sixth turning for home. She could not match the surge of the winner but grabbed second late. Gesemi ran a sound third after trailing on the inner and working off turning in so was the first near the pace runner home at the line. The G2 placing was good for her future as under WFA considering she was second up and is more known as a wet track handicap stayer. Thee Auld Floozie ran home well while the clear leader China Star boxed on okay for fifth after setting a solid clip. Celebrity Miss ran up to win turning for home from a handy sit the outer before wilting from third at the 100m and a more rain-affected track would helped her cause. Charmont fought on okay for seventh and she like the first two home had come through the G1 Easter Handicap, when eighth beaten just over two lengths. The next trio of finishers were Aotearower running on late like Perfect Start (lost her place badly near the home turn) and Emily Monk fought on okay but whether she is a 2000m type is the query after today. Mangaroa Flo Jo ran on very late for a wet track handicap stayer so could be in for a good winter. Mary Quant is not a WFA mare yet while Nigelissima was poor. Bella’s Delight was outclassed and El Pistola beat one home but then got disqualified after weighing in 1.75kg light. Rasa Lila will rightly after a spell have a crack at the Spring Triple Crown at Hastings next season and if the big names are aimed for Australia or getting primed using the first two legs as is often the case then her prospects increase. Abidewithme keeps running well but where too next for the mare? She too like the winner could be served this year and race on for half the season or so. There will be solid form out of this race as it was run at a strong gallop and should have told most if not all the trainers, owners and riders if their charge or mounts could stay.