This G1 mile run under set weights and penalties was not a capacity field and contained a handful of non-Open grade gallopers with the weight spread being an unusual 59kg down to 53.5kg. Stephen Marsh had a commendable four runners in the field of fourteen so would have fancied his chances of getting some blacktype and especially since three of them were mares. Thee Auld Floozie ended up winning very easily for the stable from getting a good sit handy the inner after disputing the early pace. She got off early the run home and spurted though quickly to lead halfway up the home straight then put a gap on them before winning by a length and a half in 1:35:03. The time was modest at first glance but the quickest for the day, as it should be for G1 looking at the rest of the card. It was the ninth win in twenty-nine starts for the 5yo mare so her strike rate is good and it was her first G1 win after two misses at this grade (once in the Oaks here and another at WFA over 2000m versus all comers at Ellerslie). The 53.5kg she carried looks luxury now after easy wins at Open Class this season at 56kg and at Listed grade at 56.5kg. Prince Of Passion, a 6yo gelding that is not Open Class and had in fact missed in his last two outings in this grade, ran home powerfully for second from the back to give this overall result a dose of reality. The other alarming fact was today being his fifth try at the mile and just a second ever placing and it comes at G1, so that is a real red flag indeed. Abidewithme ran home powerfully for third and her broodmare career is almost about to begin. A tardy start did not help and she was in the rear duo across the top before unleashing deepest out turning for home. Volkstok’n’barrell again flattered to deceive when missing a dividend left-handed and his record now this direction is nine starts for one win, which came at G1 under WFA at Otaki and that has an asterisk on it too. However he should have been in the money today as the field was not overly strong but he carried 59kg plus missed third by half a head so did perform with merit overall. He should in New Zealand always be in the money and in fact especially at G1 as the depth is non-existent especially at WFA but under handicap conditions he can be vulnerable. Serious Satire is just a three-win 4yo mare so did well to run on for fifth beaten four lengths after settling well back. Ringo was okay after a tardy start while Authentic Paddy was just fair but he seems to race all season so will be back at WFA again somewhere after this for sure. Shadow Fox, a 6yo with health issues that had won just four races and today at his first G1 attempt started at just $13 summed up the field depth too a tee. He had never ever placed before over a mile so it beggars belief he started fifth or sixth favourite. After disputing the pace wide he took the lead at the 900m and then kicked away turning in before being headed halfway up the run home and ended up eighth beaten over six lengths. It was actually a decent effort and he would be a moral back to his proper grade if happy and healthy. Stolen Dance the favourite quite clearly was tardily away and never looked a possibility when last across the top. The mare floated home for ninth beaten over seven lengths but it was more than a head scratcher as she was hundred to one after that scratchy and listless beginning. Son Of Maher was back and wide then went up deeper third across the top before unsurprisingly weakening so forget he went around as that sort of overland outing cannot be overcome at this level anywhere. Seize The Moment was wide for too long early and stopped while The Justice League was one of if not the worst weighted runner in the field for a four-win male and was beaten almost fourteen lengths. Ruud Not Too was poor and Girl Of My Dreams likewise and they like a few paid the price for being wide and working early on. This did not look a genuine G1 strength field on paper and did not even draw a capacity field plus the result showed it was dubious too with especially the runner up doing what he did. The set weights and penalties type races now in vogue sadly in New Zealand are not helping races retain their status with warnings galore on many of them because they make for false results and expose a lack of depth. This type of race allows all sorts to get a G1 run and further weaken the race credibility and strength so it is a self fulfilling negative. There are a vast number of forgives in this due to the awful track and the way the race was run early that gassed many runners hopes. This race result may see a warning imposed as it was clearly not of an average G1 standard.