The track was a Dead5 and did not suit every runner plus was biased beyond belief as not one single leader won all day and that is almost unheard of at Ashburton. The times were not that quick all day and some downright head-scratching such as the Open Handicap mile was run and won in 1:37.66 but the maiden race prior clocked 1:38.85 so was only just over seven lengths inferior. Forgive all leaders at the entire meeting as the track simply played totally against them no matter what speed they set up and that is perplexing in itself. La Diosa came from last with a super surge to take the front 100m out score by a length in 1:24.35 with the filly showing she has Group quality after this Listed 1400m 3yo win. She was recording today her third win from five outings and her second Listed win in a row. Tellingly she has started to shine as the trips got to 1200m then 1400m today and connections must be salivating at the prospect of the G1 1000 Guineas (1600m) four weeks from today. The month between races is ideal too and this daughter of So You Think is doing that sire proud as he really starts to make an impression Australasia wide. Heroic Valour ran a sound second after sitting second or third the outer and grabbing the lead at the 200m. His quest for the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) on November 5 is back on track but whether he is good enough now becomes the question after defeat again. Saville Row was a super effort for third as so much was against him from the outset and he looks a G1 2000 Guineas player for sure. He was tardy and in fact last initially before being booted through to lead after 250k and wasting early energy. The colt led and had a neck lead across the top before being headed at the 300m and of course was in the position no horse could succeed from all day so had two negatives against him. He was third at the 200m and fourth at the 100m before digging deep to regain third at the 50m in perhaps the best effort in the race overall when all factors are considered. Sweepstake was a distant fourth but brave as she was wide early before going up second the outer and then took the front at the 300m before being headed at the 200m and wilting from third at the 100m. She has just come out of maidens prior so the filly has scope. Sweet Leader was average at best and the big colt may not have travelled and done so well since coming to the South Island. He is much better than that so will his stable run him again (unlikely) or go straight into the G1 2000 Guineas and hope today knocked that keen and green edge out of him for the big show in three weeks. Bettors may have deserted him too quickly and look for blinkers to go on to get the big boy concentrating on the target better. O’Naturelle was okay for a filly as she surged early the run home but will measure up against her own sex in a month albeit hard to see her turning the tables on the winner today. Zakynthos was average at best and Starvoia disappointing with perhaps the 1400m an issue though to be fair she was wide throughout. Incantesimo was outclassed and would be odds on in a maiden in the South Island so is an improver. Polly Parker was outclassed too and would be a chance back to all maidens. La Diosa has the freight train finish and will relish the G1 mile at Riccarton in a month where she is a now a very serious player. Heroic Valour with the blinkers on showed he still has a say in the G1 2000 Guineas (1600m) in three weeks. Savile Row was the eyecatcher overall as two things counted against him totally early and in the running. Sweepstake can justify a start in the G1 1000 Guineas (1600m) in a month after today. Sweet Leader was his usual big dopey self today but the trip away could have affected him, so drop him now at your peril as he has the size and power when concentrating on raceday to be a Group colt. O’Naturelle a worthy runner in the G1 1000 Guineas after today but the rest of the field should look for softer options for sure.