This G2 3yo 1400m drew a below par line up but held a lot of interest due to Scott Base running in it when he was one of the Derby favourites until a slight setback days before the March 3 feature. Scott Base started favourite, as he should against this line up, and ended up winning by the smallest nose possible on the line. He raced seventh the outer and looked flat at the 300m but kept coming between runners and was a close fourth at the 100m then got in the bob that matters. His usual ping was not there (he picked up and dropped Embellish at a mile three starts ago and Savvy Coup ran third in that race and she won the G1 NZ Oaks here today) and he raced almost like he was ready for middle distance. Maybe his Derby preparation had dulled his surge but he got there in the end and clocked 1:23.41to win his fourth race in twelve starts. His 3yo record strongly suggests 1400m is his best trip and then the mile is his other main strike zone so until he delivers over a middle distance that will remain. He is clean winded as his Listed Karaka Mile win in fast time came when second up and that is a very salient point indeed. The time was nothing fantastic and the Ratings65 last event on the card was won by a 4yo mare in 1:22.82 (four lengths superior) for some perspective. Paulownia, a strapping Australian bred filly that had won her debut by half a head just over two weeks prior only missed winning this by the barest margin. She got well back and then once angled into clear air turning for home unleashed with purpose to be fourth at the 200m and second at the 100m then led with 50m to go. Her effort was deserved of victory but the photo finish has the final judgement. The Great Southern ran on well from back on the inner to be a close up third and was just a nose and a neck from winning. Czechoslovakia ran well to be close up after sitting fourth the outer and reaching second at the 200m and he was beaten in total three-quarters of a length. Swisswatch probably would have won this but for a tardy start when third last away but he recovered quickly and used up priceless energy to be second and wide after 200m then led soon after. That extra early burn was costly as he was joined at the 800m to the home turn and then kicked away at the 300m and looking the winner still at the 150m only to be caught at the 50m. The gelding was beaten just over three-quarters of a length and this natural leader if away cleanly would very likely have hung on to score. Astor, the second favourite, was crowded at the start and last away before being sent up wide and reached fourth deep at the 600m. The filly was third turning for home and still there at the 200m before the effort told but her sixth beaten just over two lengths was very commendable indeed. Ladynadel fought on okay after losing a handy spot while Dama Zorro got crowded early and copped a rocky run until the home turn so her eighth beaten less than four lengths was okay but for her a tad disappointing overall. Lubaya plugged on from the rear trio while Divine Power was weak the run home and the rest were outclassed. This was nowhere near a G2 line up but the best horse Scott Base won albeit by the smallest margin over a filly just out of maidens that had herself won by a small margin. Paulownia could be special on her performance today with the key words being could be. The first five over the line were separated by less than a length and that puts some perspective pause on the result as the first two home could be good but not all five in reality can be top shelf. And then needing to be factored in is that Astor is probably is in the finish if away cleanly and not asked so much of in the running, so she will sleep well for sure. Swisswatch but for being used up the first 300m likely wins this or is at least is in the top three and while a handy type he is not top shelf for another dose of reality.