This G3 2400m Open Handicap drew a very modest depth field of nine containing many of the usual suspects from last Summer and early Autumn chasing the Cups held in this period. Many of the field had not won for a while or are noted regular winners plus the stamina credentials of the last two home were proven correct as neither is a true 2400m galloper. Five To Midnight had not won this season but after trailing the leaders and then being angled four-off at the 400m strode to the front with 200m to go and scored by a long neck. He clocked 2:27.07 and was recording his sixth win in twenty-seven starts so is a shy winner but that might change this Summer and Autumn now a fully mature 5yo though the handicappers will have the final say. The time was just under four lengths superior to the first race clocking for a Benchmark75 (four grades inferior at least), so was not a deadest stamina test and more a track bias outcome. Last season Five To Midnight was good for second, third, fourth or fifth in many Group Cup races before winning at Listed level in April and being spelled. His path will be very similar though maybe not contesting as many Cups as the handicappers can be heard clearing their throats as you read this. Promise To Reign ran home strongly for second against the track bias but she has not won since a 3yo filly and in fact has won a total of one race and it came here over a mile. Zambezi Warrior was better ridden today being covered up three back the fence and ran on properly for third but he has not won since capturing a Benchmark 85 over a year ago. Rock On ran a super fourth after settling last and then improved wide midrace before challenging the leader across the top. He is usually a closer and swamper so was ridden outside his comfort zone to counter the blatant track bias and to be beaten less than two lengths spoke volumes. In a genuine run staying race on a track that is not noted for being outrageously biased towards on pacers, he can outstay most if not all of these. Zacada was rising several grades in this and moved up wide across the top before wilting the final 200m. Maygrove was very average and Snow Secret was a tad disappointing too. Francis Drake and Meeska Mooska are not true stayers. Many of these have seen each other before countless times and it often comes down to the track bias on the day or the rider or the map they are using or luck in the running. Rock On is the one that can topple these as he will still have light weights plus he is like Five To Midnight in being fully mature now though the latter will have to give him plenty of weight now after 3kg today.