The G3 1200m saw two of the lighter weights fight out the finish in Statham and Irish Moon after they both sat handy in the running. Statham drove through from the trail to grab the front one-off at the 200m and held on by half a length to clock 1:10.82 under 53.5kg. It was the sixth win in twenty-three starts by the 6yo that has had his health issues hence being relatively lightly tried for his age. Today he recorded his first Group win and will likely tackle G1 next start in the Railway at Ellerslie. He has tried the highest level once before having finished eighth of sixteen in January of last year at Trentham in the Telegraph so whether he is truly up to that class remains doubtful but the Railway is an easier race to win these days. Irish Moon ran on strongly for second and but for being held up and hampered for a key moment the run home could have made the finish a tighter one. Ryan Mark under 59kg ran a sound third but the weight told after looming large at the 200m and he was two and a half lengths from the winner at the line. Fast Dragon after leading fought well for fourth while Fascination Street was a brave fifth after being wide the whole way. Riding Shotgun ran on well from the back as usual while Trepidation caught the eye late down the outer too. To Be Sure boxed on like he would wanted a little further and the G1 place proven Whosyourmaster (second in the Railway beaten a nostril flare on New Years Day here this year) battled on the outer but found the 60kg too much. Il Cavallo stopped badly as though clockwise does not suit and 1200m is too far. Durham Town after clipping a heel and blundering at the start never got in the race and was a distant last at the finish. Whether this is G1 Railway form for here on New Years Day 2016 is dubious as the set weights and penalties scale from this line up would realistically only help Ryan Mark (he looks the one from today) and Whosyourmaster only.