This G1 2000m at WFA saw just ten runners compete alarmingly and that included two handicappers only so was not a genuine top shelf line up considering this is the highest staked event this season under such a scale. Just two of this field had won at G1 before and that alone is the most telling fact. Volkstok’n’barrell scored by a long head to record his fourth G1 success and clocked a 2:01.35, which was one second (six lengths ) superior to the G2 3yo filly feature held two races prior. The now 5yo gelding has never won in Australia as a 4yo or older paid a dividend left-handed and after today his record that direction is ten starts for two wins, both of which have come in New Zealand. Today was his ninth win from twenty-six starts and since he is a gelding it seems race anywhere and everywhere is the logical game plan if fit and healthy. He sat sixth the inside and never spent a penny until working off across the top and then surged into fourth at the 200m before hitting that customary flat spot. Under hard riding to keep his mind and focus on the job he led at the 100m to hold on, with the first four over the line being within threequarters of a length. He has as a 4yo and older had in Australia nine starts for a solitary third at the Gold Coast. Savile Row was game in defeat and the 3yo may well have scored but for being green and over-reactive the final 100m. He sat outside the eventual winner throughout and was wide across the top but took an eternity to balance up and wind up fully. It should be noted from a Derby perspective he has raced clockwise three times for two wins and the flop came on a bog fresh up for this season. Authentic Paddy led up and fought hard for a close third but cannot win at this level despite seeming to race all year around. He more than any other galloper around at the moment in New Zealand shows their true level and it keeps happening on all types of footing. Abidewithme at her last start before becoming a mum ran home potently for a close fourth after sitting back on the inner eighth and working out before the home turn. Consensus was the only other G1 winner in the field and had beaten home the winner in that victory but she wilted a tad today. The mare was running third or fourth mostly and was close up threatening at the 200m but had no ping and went from fourth at the 50m to fifth at the finish beaten two and a half lengths. She is much more tractable and reliable clockwise. Saint Emillion sat second the outer and had every chance plus he does seem to prefer when able to lead and the time here was a tad quicker than he prefers. Jon Snow the other 3yo was a strange run in that he sat handy the inner and was one-paced and a battling sixth at the 200m only to get a second wind and find the line late. His second dam on the damside is by Zabeel so maybe he can cope at the Derby distance. Promise To Reign is just a one-win mare tackling the big time too often so she should drop back in grade and start saluting as the ability is there. The two handicappers Trojan Warrior and Nymph Monte were outclassed as expected under WFA. This was not a strong G1 at all and in fact substandard when just two of the small field had ever won at the highest level before. The same usual suspects were there at the finish so that makes an uneasy muchness about them as a group with the newcomer being the 3yo Savile Row and he almost won. Volkstok’n’barrell will always be top tier in New Zealand at G1 but is a massive risk in Australia left-handed so clockwise is his lone realistic try again campaign. Sydney or Queensland (easier depth here) would seem the way to improve a dreadful Australian record as a 4yo or older galloper and besides Winx cannot and will not run in everything.