The strong stayer Blathwayt won this Listed feature over 2100m with an impressive and sustained surge to score by two lengths. He was ninth or tenth the inner before angling out and striding up the third widest runner turning for home and then was given full bore at the 300m. It was his seventh win in twenty-two starts and even more notably he has won on all types of footing. He clocked 2:10 and was super strong over the line so his next target, the G3 NZ Cup over 3200m on November 14 at Riccarton, looks very winnable. The runner up was Thorn Prince that closed hard the last bit to nab second under 58kg and he was giving the winner 4.5kg. The leader Authentic Paddy was only run over the final 50m so did a good job under his 59kg to only lose second money on the post. King Kamada strode into second at the 200m only to finish fourth and be two noses from the runner up spot. He still amazingly is yet to win on his home track of Awapuni. The eyecatching big late run but far too late was Benzini under 58.5kg and he looks a serious NZ Cup chance on such an effort. Delago’s Secret was noticed finding the line well too and is a next upper for sure. Gwynethanne ran on well and is close to some form again too. Blizzard had every chance as did Smartly while Sampson was disappointing after sitting outside the leader. Dragon Beauty was wide the whole way and working so her eleventh beaten seven lengths was brave as most would have dropped out exhausted after such an overlander. The rest were poor and Our Gazza needs wetter footing while the former G1 winner at WFA in Ransomed seems to have lost all ability. Noble Warrior had a nightmare wide run and had to stop and did. Blathwayt and Benzini look the two NZ Cup major players to come out of this while the likes of Delago’s Secret are a next upper and Gwynethanne should be in the money next time out.