The G3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) was run on a boggy and biased Arawa Park track and the margins some were beaten said it all. Storming The Tower won by a long neck after getting a soft run sixth then moving into contention across the top before hitting the lead at the 100m. The 7yo gelding was winning his sixth race in forty-seven starts so has been a shy saluter of the judge. In fact his two wins this year (also won on March 26) came after having not won since 2012 so it was some drought broken in 2016. He handled the awful footing better than the rest and an example of what happens when you didn’t is the G1 placed mare Celebrity Miss finished second last beaten just under thirty-two lengths. Gentil Tonton came home hard down the outside for second after settling back and coming deep across the top. He was rising two grades today but managed it no worries so stamina and coping on wet ground is not an issue. Authentic Paddy ran a brave third under 60.5kg after sitting second then challenging across the top. He led before turning for home and only got run over the final 100m to be beaten half a length. Gesemi was running on okay late from back and wide while China Star, the stablemate of the third finisher, was a wilting fifth. Mangaroa Flo Jo was seen running on wider and is close to some form with wet ground her forte. Perfect Start was okay for eighth beaten nine lengths and she is also close to some form this preparation. The rest came in at dribs and drabs with the maiden runner Arite Guru not surprisingly outclassed and finishing last beaten just over fifty lengths. Chop Suey led up and was headed before the home turn before weakening out to ninth but sadly ruptured the suspensory ligament on his right foreleg and was humanely euthanised. This does not look a trustable result as the Arawa Park track was atrocious and when fit proven stayers are going backwards across the top you know it is not a level playing field.