This G3 3yo over 1200m looked a nice race on paper full of speed but then the Te Rapa track presented was chipping badly from the outset and no leader won all day. They still went solidly up front and the winner Sweet Leader was uber-impressive at the line and this big colt looks a moral to be racing in Hong Kong sooner rather than later. Sweet Leader was quite clearly tardy at the start with one other runner (Chicane) and both run in very easy to spot yellow colours in the main plus this race had a far from perfect start for several others too. The race actually had many runners jostling at the jump too so was anything but a beautiful start for a third of the field from the outset. Sweet Leader was resuming after a minor throat procedure and there is always that unknown factor with this part of a racehorse but the big boy showed he gets plenty of oxygen into the lungs now. He was in the rear duo and then last across the top before his rider Craig Grylls (also won the G2 fillies and mares two races earlier) stayed closer in near the home turn then angled off to that strip he now new was wide enough to unleash on. The colt was fifth and getting into full stretch at the 200m before picking them up and dropping them to lead at the 50m. It was a devastating win by three-quarters of a length in 1:11.51 and that time compared favourably with the Open Handicap the race prior won from the back too in 1:11.33. Sweet Leader has won three of five starts now with a placing and a Listed fifth his other efforts but the best is yet to come if he stays healthy and sound being such a whopper that really pounds the ground devouring it. Honey Ryder ran a game second after sitting handy the inner and tried hard while Flamingo came with a surge from the rear duo for third to be just a long neck away from the runner up. Flamingo had won her first two starts with displays of smart surging and sustained closing power so is in for a good year and will run middle distance on her breeding. O’Rachael led after 300m and had some company across the top but kicked the run home only to be swamped the final stages and she lost third on the line in fact. It was game effort considering the unusual track bias on display all day today. Half Of Fame the favourite was ridden perhaps a tad too arrogantly as the colt was back initially then sent up fast to be in the leading trio between runners at the 800m and then was third across the top. He surged into second at the 200m then hit a flat spot and was a one-batting third at the 100m then wilted to finish fifth beaten over two lengths. Miss Dalghar ran on okay for sixth after getting well back and another eyecatcher was Chicane for seventh after that filly was tardily away alongside the eventual winner. She then was back and wide across the top and drawn the deepest runner turning for home so has more wins in store with that will to compete regardless. Bella Gioia was a fair eighth but being snagged back is not her go and when she gets a decent barrier then surely her natural speed will be used properly to sit poised closer as she has been a blatant tempo map victim for a few starts now. She is also a bit hit and miss so still has to prove a few things yet such as consistency and that she is not just a rain-affected footing or wet tracker only. Memories Only was okay after being wide through in the midfield or worse while Creative Genius is an improver as he was fresh up today. Euphoria can be forgiven as she was fourth last early after an average start like many then got sent up fast deep to be wide in the leading trio after 400m and then tried to match motors across the top to the home turn,. She had to weaken after such an overlander fresh up and hopefully has not been flattened by such an exertion. The last three home were outclassed with perhaps a forgive on Elusive Meteor as she was wide throughout. The footing presented today had the biggest negative bearing and the track bias but the winner Sweet Leader looks a terrific tank that will run over many rivals if he stays in one piece. He looks readymade for Hong Kong if he can adapt to clockwise racing and would be a Derby type for sure as a 4yo at Sha Tin. Flamingo is a filly that has scope and is looking for more distance while Hall Of Fame should be tighter under the belt for this outing. Chicane was an unsung game effort and there is a total forgive on Euphoria. The race should prove to be a decent guide for this year and next despite the footing presented and how it performed.