The winner of this Listed 3yo only event over 1340m was the maiden Soldier Boy by just under a length in 1:27.04. He raced fourth the outer then came up wide nearing the home turn before surging to the lead at the 200m and held them all out. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were third (six-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), fourth (six-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), third (four-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), third (four-off the inside and length and a half from the leader), led ( ten-off the inside and a neck in front), fourth (eight-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), led (six-off the inside and a length in front) and led (six-off the inside and a length in front). Soldier Boy was today winning his first race and it came at Listed level too but he was placed third at his first two outings with the first one coming on debut at Wanganui. His other third came behind I Wish I Win and that ran second in two G1 juvenile events so the form has stacked up since. This run on gelding will be better with more time on his side and over more ground plus the fact he could race relatively close was more to do with the footing and the lack of field depth. Second home was the favourite Yeaboi, ridden by the apprentice in Hazel Schofer, which settled back and came with a good run the outer after coming up fourth and wide turning for home. His form prior was being unbeaten at the trials then he won here at Wanganui on debut before running second at Listed level behind Ima Roca Bee in Heavy footing, so the form stacks up. He closed gamely today but the winner was going too well in the conditions the run home. Third across the line was Princess Biddy on debut, which raced second the outer and turning for home third and wider but she fought on well and was beaten just over a length. She looks a filly that has good scope for improvement. Fourth home was the fourth favourite Whiskey, ridden by the apprentice Wiremu Pinn, that set the pace and once headed at the 200m fought well but lost third money and the Blacktype placing on the line. He had won his prior start well enough after racing back and wide off the pace so this type of running be leading up was a foreign to the gelding. Fifth home and beaten a length and a half was the maiden Nest Egg, which started third favourite. In his prior four runs, all as a juvenile, he had finished a game third at Listed level over a mile, fourth twice and a sound but distant seventh at G1. He looks to have some scope and the longer trips will suit him much more too. The rest got beaten nine and a half lengths and up to just under thirteen lengths. The distant sixth finisher was the second favorite Treasure State that got back on the inner and never ran on in the footing. The winner has upside for sure and when he gets over more ground can only then start to show his best form so to grab Blacktype here is a bonus. This may well end up a better form guide race once the first six months of the season is run for the three-year-old crop.