This G3 Open Handicap over 1400m saw the favourite Julius score narrowly but in a controlled manner such is his massive size. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were fourth (one-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), fourth (three-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the inside), led (four-off the inside and a head in front), fourth (six-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), third (three-off the inside and a length and a half from the leader), led (two-off the inside and a neck in front), led (on the fence and a length and a half in front), sixth (on the fence and three lengths from the leader) and third (on the fence and a length and a half from the leader). The manmade track bias was immense as the inside lane and lanes were so much faster than the rest of the track the entire day. Julius sat fourth the outer, which for him was different as he almost always leads or sits outside the leader imposing his big shadow. He moved up third near the home turn then continued to wind up his substantial frame before getting to the front the final 25m and scoring by half a length. He clocked 1:22.03 and that was bettered by the opening event a Ratings 65 (five grades inferior) that clocked 1:21.44 or three lengths superior. This was the eighth win in fifteen starts for Julius and his third G3 success. The worst he has ever finished is fourth so multiples bettors get great confidence from such a consistent record. Donna Anne Billy was a clear leader and gave a decent kick the run home only to be overpowered the closing stages. It was her second ever G3 placing and the most significant as it came against all comers. Tinkalicious sat second the outer and fought hard to the line for a close third to achieve her second G3 placing but also the most meaningful at this juncture as it came against the males too. Watch This Space fought well for fourth after racing fifth the inner while Mongolian Marshall was a length and a half behind him but also fighting on well for fifth. Pierina was an eyecatcher running on well from last on her own and Scott Base also found the line well late from seventh or eighth on settling. Sweepstake and Campari filled the last two finishing positions over the line but both were not too bad battling on and beaten less than four lengths. This was an on pace dominated race and finish due to manmade track bias, so the result is somewhat skewered but the best horse won in Julius and he just so happens to have an on pacer racing pattern. He would win at G1 next time out to embellish the form worth overall. The third finisher would win at G3 three starts later but it is two runners that were manmade track bias victims that showed why the result was tainted. Pierina and Scott Base are backrunners and both ran on well here but never had a hope the way the track was presented today. The former would run a cracking fourth at G2 next time out in a decent strength field and for some perspective and why manmade track bias matters there is a clear mare comparison. Pierina was just over two and a half lengths behind the runner up leader Donna Anne Billy today but in the G2 mile was almost five lengths ahead of that mare for an over seven and a half length swing. Scott Base would be G3 placed next time seen out and then win a G2 three starts after that.