This G3 3yo over 1200m saw the Australian bred Whiskey Neat maintain his undefeated status. The track at Ellerslie today was posted as a Good3 but the winners in the main came well off the inside and many got angled deliberately up the middle lanes, which looks and is quite unnerving for bettors. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were seventh (three-off the fence and three lengths from the leader), seventh (two-off the fence and three and a half lengths from the leader), led (one-off the fence and a length in front), tenth (four-off the fence and four lengths from the leader), fifth (four-off the fence and three lengths from the leader), ninth (six-off the fence and five lengths from the leader), sixth (nine-off the fence and three lengths from then leader), led (four-off the fence and a neck in front), sixth (eight-off the fence and two lengths from the leader) and led (two-off fence and two lengths in the lead). Whiskey Neat soon led and had the rank outsider alongside on settling so was not being pressured or attacked at all and kicked a length clear turning for home. The gelding was hit by a right-handed whipping rider while running outwards four-off and no surprise then that the juvenile ran wider. He was holding a length clear at the line and ran 1:10.66, which compared well to the G1 Railway winning time later in the day of 1:09.47, so was just seven lengths inferior to the older Open Class sprinters. A left-handed whipping rider may be needed for this gelding in clockwise races for the future as not running straight can prove costly. Aotea Lad settled down in the rear duo and unleashed powerfully down the outer and after reaching fourth at the 200m got to second at the 50m. He momentarily looked a threat but such a surge is hard to sustain for that long especially by a juvenile but his was a very good run. Exuberant after racing fourth the outer fought well from reaching third at the 300m but had every chance to be fair. Aalaalune a maiden ran on okay from the rear duo the inner and was beaten three lengths. Last Sight after trailing the winner never pinged the run home but fought on like a big improver when next seen out. Anna Cecelia on debut will improve as well after racing fifth the inner and the filly has the looks and physique to make an impression when she gains more ringcraft. The other pair were well beaten and distant and in effect outclassed. Whiskey Neat is now two-from-two and one of those is a G3 success, with the promise of more to come. He has tactical speed so can overcome most things but his next target is the Karaka Millions and can expect a lot more pressure on both horse and rider to see if any cracks in his armour can be found. Aotea Lad if drawn better next time they meet will be a distinct threat as the gelding will then not need to be giving Whiskey Neat such a massive headstart in the running when they turn for home. The Karaka Millions will also have much more speedy opposition and no handing anything on a platter as a million dollar race makes riders and trainers do some inexplicable things.