In a day where no leader won and the track was downgraded from a Dead5 to a Dead 6 with three races to run of the nine-race card, the inside lanes still provided the most winners and placegetters. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were second outer, third (trail inner), eighth (four lengths off leader in this 2400m (two-turn) race), third, fifth (two lengths off lead in a 2200m (two-turn) race, fourteenth (seven lengths off lead), tenth (five lengths off lead), fourth (inner) and fourth (own). The track was cutting up late in the day and the times got slower than standard by more and more. This G3 1600m Open Handicap had a 7kg weight spread from top to bottom and eight of the fourteen runners carried the minimum of 53kg. Dark Princess at her first try in Open Class and at blacktype level won after racing buried eighth the inside and then improving sixth across the top before getting a nice through fourth turning for home. The 5yo mare led at the 200m and was holding her rivals well at the 100m to score by a length in 1:37.36 carrying 53kg to record the biggest win of her career so far. Today was her fifth win from thirteen starts and four of these have come at the mile. She can swim if need be and any cut in the ground is relished plus her racing style and breeding suggests middle distance is well within her range so Cups are a possibility and maybe even WFA. Dolcetto was a massive second under topweight of 60kg as he was a tad tardy then got used up to go through into second the outer. He led at the 300m and when headed at the 200m fought hard. Raw Impulse, running for an in form Fraser Auret yard today, was tardy and in a rear quartet away before settling down tenth and he turned for home in that position. The 7yo entire drove through and reached fourth at the 200m before moving into third at the 100m and under 56.5kg he fought well to be beaten just over a length. Authentic Paddy had been racing very hit and miss this season so far and has had a couple of gutbusters but today back in grade and getting the lead helped greatly. The 9yo once headed at the 300m fought well and was still third at the 200m before being fourth at the 100m and was beaten less than two lengths. Flamingo ran on okay late from back and wide but was beaten three and three-quarter lengths overall. Art Deco was sixth early then fifth and wide from midrace until the home turn and battled well all things considered. Seraphim battled away from fourth then third the inner while Ringo battled on from back and wide on settling. Rayas and Fawn battled on from well back while Wyndspelle was running on very late from second last on settling. Vinevale was never on the track eighth wide but never chucked it away completely while Red Sierra dropped out last and never ever looked a possibility, so surely a riding change must be made next time seen out if in blacktype company. Red Sierra may need wetter ground but she was one of three runners in this ridden by apprentices and in a G3 race where no claims are allowed they finished fifth, twelfth and thirteenth. Danger Dee was outclassed and ran last after racing handy then stopping badly the run home. Dark Princess was a length superior then the second back to seventh finishers were covered by three lengths. Several runners in this were not disgraced at all and back to proper decent footing there are winners to come out of this race when against more fitting grades.