This Listed Open Handicap over 1550m was held on a very holding and boggy Awapuni track that has been dreadful and had its share of problems for a very long time. The weight spread was 60kg down to 53kg and the 7kg gap as is often the case sees many runners carrying the minimum and today and half the field (six of twelve runners) did so. No surprise also that the quinella was two runners on 53kg nor that they were mares as they utterly dominate the New Zealand landscape at all levels with so many benefits and sex allowances and options and races for higher stakes at times too. Ladies First had won a Benchmark 75 coming into this so was rising three grades at least and she was tackling blacktype for the first time ever but it made no difference. The 4yo swimmer sat wide with cover sixth and then strode up ominously into second at the 300m before leading at the 150m and drew away to win by two lengths in 1:38.29. It was her fifth win from just nine starts and to dominate a Listed race versus all comers says more about her rivals to be realistic. Slimline ran on well from second last on settling after coming up sixth and the second widest runner turning for home. The 5yo mare was like the victor (before she took this out) just a four-race winner but has won a Listed Open Handicap here on 54kg prior so today looked thrown in dropping 1kg to 53kg. The quinella of the first two mares also showed the massive lack of genuine depth in these blacktype races. Zorrali was the first male home and under 57kg the 6yo gelding ran on well for third beaten three lengths when second up from a spell. Prince Mambo the leader and a last start Benchmark 85 winner, so jumping two grades at least here, was clear in front until being headed at the 200m and weakened to be beaten four lengths into fourth. Nashville was a tad tardy and last on settling but ran home well as usual to get fifth beaten just over four lengths and was carrying topweight of 60kg. The rest struggled the run home to be beaten six lengths and up to eleven lengths and in the main the gelatinous and puggy Awapuni ground saw many of them seemingly going up and down on the same spot. Watch The Space is a total forgive for example with his experienced rider Chris Johnson saying as much about the gluey holding footing.