The usual savage manmade track bias at Te Rapa was there for all to see and statistically today every single winner bar one came from either leading or sitting close behind on the inner or outer. The other winner also it should be noted moved up third turning for home after being sixth the inside so was never that far away either. The bias can make for very misleading results and racing so always treat with a grain of salt as Te Rapa is without a doubt the most biased venue and excessive sand-slitting is the reason. The G2 at WFA saw a maiden 3yo fresh up lead and absolutely trash his rivals in the form of Saracino. The colt in three runs last season as a juvenile had been G1 and G3 placed so has upside galore and speed but was meeting older horses today. It did not matter and the track bias played into his hands along with the fact he carried just 51.5kg at WFA so was getting from 5kg and up to 7kg from all his rivals. He led and slipped well clear the run home to win by almost two and a half lengths and clocked 1:11.16 to post his first ever raceday win. It does not say much for the rest at all and in fact the field was rather weak either from a being underdone standpoint or the fact many were backrunners as a rule so were dead on arrival at the gates. No More Tears was super for second as she got back and wide but unleashed into third at the 200m and then second at the 100m but was chasing in vain to be honest. Authentic Paddy, a usual on pacer, got back but ran on up the ruck to nab third the final 50m and expect him to get back into his usual racing pattern as the distances increase. Outside the winner the best effort was by Underthemoonlight, a two-win mare that under WFA was horrendously situated and she was a luckless fourth and should been second all things considered. The 5yo mare settled in the rear duo and got blocked at the 200m when having much to offer so was hauled wider for clear air and then steamed home down the outer late. Longchamp was brave after a horror rider by an apprentice in a non-claiming race so look for a jockey change next time seen out as loyalty only lasts for so long once in Stakes class. He was trapped third wide and working all the way and actually reached second at the 200m before being swamped late into fifth. When you consider he was just half a length from second money the overland effort is seen in a more realistic light. Shezhardtocatch had every chance and wilted while Farm Boy had next time out written all over him. Southern Icon the favourite was dreadful and this almost every time leader had to sit second the outer chasing the winner that had 7kg less and it showed. He offered nothing the run home and whether he is a WFA galloper is now in question with perhaps one more try at it and then stick to handicaps if that shows two strike outs. The one saving grace, if he is not shown to have an issue since, is that Hastings is a track he adores and it too can have a savage on pace and inside bias. The well performed 9yo Willie Cazals will be a big improver when he gets onto a less biased track and with extra distance as old Hong Kong rejects have shown G1 is well within them before when sent to New Zealand. Tiger Moss was outclassed and showed what being wide across the top does to a runner, which in turn highlights how brave Longchamp was at the line. It is rare for a 3yo to win this race so for a maiden to do so makes hen’s teeth run of the millet. This race always has too many underdone runners with bigger and better aims ahead this Spring to hard take too seriously and the G2 rating is very generous indeed with the field this year substandard in numbers and depth across the board.