The Listed 1000m saw an upset by the 6yo mare Red Dirt Girl getting up in the last stride to beat the hotpot Il Cavallo in 56.45. Times are very fast here at Riccarton and in particular down the chute (800m to 1200m) races where no matter the footing bionic clockings are often posted. Red Dirt Girl was to say kindly a colossal form reversal on her previous outing when tenth of eleven and beaten almost fourteen lengths having drawn slightly better than today too. She was back and wide on settling in this and then unleashed a big burst to win and in reality has improved a ridiculous amount in three weeks. It was her eighth win from twenty-four starts so her strike rate is sound and also her first blacktype earning performance. Il Cavallo was bolting outside the leader and strode clear early the run home to put a break on the field but his rider may have gone too soon as the final result showed. Miss Seton Sands fought well for third and the big mare with dash is in for a good season. Salamanca ran on well late for fourth and just needs some cut in the ground to be in the money again. Shelford was okay the closing stages and found the 1000m a tad short but paraded in good order. Antonio Lombardo found the line well too and is a big improver for next time out. The winner was impossible to have on how bad she went prior and produced today a career high performance as a 6yo, which is always a head scratcher. Il Cavallo has not won at 1200m so if he is to tackle G1 sprints in New Zealand this summer he will need to show more fight the closing stages. He has super speed and can really accelerate frighteningly turning for home when they are already going very quickly but it is near the line that is the worry and today was at his pet trip the 1000m. Miss Seton Sands had won and placed at Listed level last season as a filly but her third today came against all comers and as a result has more breeding worth.