This G3 1400m Open Handicap was run at a solid clip throughout and no surprise then that less than a length separated the first five over the line. Royal Success sat fourth on the inner in a prime spot considering the blatant track bias all day and once through one-off in the run home reached second at the 200m. He was coming at the 100m and led at the 50m to score by a head in 1:21.51 and record his sixth win in a dozen starts, which is a very good strike rate for a lightly tried 5yo. The Australian bred has a penchant for 1400m with this being his fourth win at that trip. His stablemate Chambord was a luckless second and came home very stoutly after being back on the inner then working off but held up at the 300m. The 7yo took an eternity to get clear air and was still sixth at the 150m before unleashing determinedly and almost got up. Ronchi, as he has been doing of late, began poorly and gave them all a start and was last on his own at the 1000m and second last the inside across the top. He poked up the inside the run home then would you believe it found traffic before powering through to be third beaten a head and a short neck. The start cost him the race as from a good draw he would been right in this from the outset so track bias would have been in his favour rather a hindrance. Passing Shot flew to the lead and set a solid clip clear in the lead and was kicking on well at the 200m only to be swamped the final 50m. Watch This Space after being bumped and crowded early losing his place in the midfield ran home well under the topweight of 60kg. Prince Of Passion was eased back to last early and ran on solidly for sixth beaten just over a length and a half, with the 7yo being second up. Seize The Moment was not too bad and Battle Time the next upper after being blocked at the 300m and 200m then finding the line late. Deals In Heals disappointed and the 4yo mare may have had enough for this campaign but will be back in Autumn for sure. Snapshot was ordinary and Southern Icon dreadful although the latter was wide working fifth then moved up third deep before the overland effort fresh up took a tool. He will sleep very well after being ridden like that in such a solidly run race. Ample form should come out of this and while many of these are more milers it was the strong speed that saw them keep coming the closing stages. Almost all of these are handicappers bar the odd WFA hope in a field of suspect depth.