The rail was out 8m today at this known manmade biased track with the excessive sand-slitting and stinging kickback for both horse and rider. No winner today came from further back than sixth turning for home nor were any that far from the leaders and in fact the nine winners straightened up in the order of third, fourth, fifth, third, second, second, second, sixth and led. This G1 for fillies and mares, the only of its type in a New Zealand racing season, was supposed to be run clockwise on the turf and soil Te Aroha track but it is in dreadful condition and very unreliable at the moment. Te Aroha lost their most important raceday of the entire season due to their track having problems and not being able to remotely cope with rain let alone downpours. Te Rapa is a left-handed and heavily sand-slitted track so it did make a massive difference to this race result and that cannot be emphasized enough. The most surprising fact was only a dozen went around and that is hard to believe for this being the only G1 of its type in the entire season, so that may well have been due to the shift to Te Rapa. It is also likely partially due to a G3 fillies and mares race set for Friday at Awapuni (meeting abandoned earlier in the week due to miniscule nominations and the track likely bottomless) being transferred to Trentham today and making it an unhelpful clash indeed. Charmont won the race by a head and the Australian bred 5yo mare has been in good form almost all season and prior to today from seven starts had won once (at Listed level) and placed five times. Today she gained her first G1 success at her third try at the top shelf level with a third as a filly in the NZ Oaks (2400m) and a close up eighth in the G1 Easter Mile (now a G2 race) the other efforts. The 5yo mare is a shy winner having saluted now just four times from twenty-four starts but she has been placed a dozen times so is consistent. She sat handy the inner from a good draw and worked off turning for home before coming between runners and got up with just 10m to go and clock 1:35.42. Thee Auld Floozie raced fifth or sixth the outer (outside the eventual winner) and then surged into second at the 200m before hitting the lead with 120m to go and looking all over the winner. She got nailed the final 10m and may have hit the front a tad too soon. Mime, the stablemate of the winner, finished a close up third after sitting midfield the inner then working of across the top. She kept coming the run home to be beaten a head and a long head so surely her G1 turn will come next season. Miss Wilson has been a revelation since coming back to New Zealand from Australia and ran a game fourth after being wide on the pace early then over second the outer. She took the front turning for home before being headed with 120m to go and fought well to be beaten less than two lengths. The 4yo mare proved she is up to this level in New Zealand. Sofia Rosa ran home attractively late after being away awkwardly and settling well back. Rasa Lila was a tad tardy and got back on the inner but found the line well enough too. Stylish Attack was honest from a good sit the outer while Lucyinrio led then trailed the inner and wilted late. Big Dream plugged on from the rear duo and Rising Shot boxed on from well back and wide. Both can be totally forgiven regarding how the track was presented and performed. Fanatic a stayer did not produce much dash the run home and needs further while Girl Of My Dream, the leader eventually compounded to finish a clear last. Girl Of My Dreams had an elevated respiratory rate post race and talk of her retirement as a racing proposition was mooted. She was wide early then used up onto the pace deep before taking the lead after 600m but once softened up across the top was headed quickly turning for home. Lots of future winners from the race to come this season and into next, as fillies and mares are the strength of New Zealand racing with all the benefits they get given in terms of race options, weight relief and higher stakes to chase in specific series.