This G3 1215m Open Handicap at WFA saw an older reject from Hong Kong absolutely embarrass his rivals and beat an 8yo, a 7yo, an 8yo, a 9yo and a 7yo that filled out the first six over the line. Packing Eagle, a 7yo, had not won a race since a Class Two over 1400m at Hong Kong (Sha Tin) two years ago. The gelding resumed in New Zealand in August at G2 under WFA having not raced prior since December last year when last home in Hong Kong. He was caught wide and on wet ground plus that happened at his next outing when tackling G1 under WFA. Today on better than slow or heavy ground he sat sixth the outer then was asked to improve near the home turn. The big strider was third and coming at the 200m then gobbled up his inferior opposition and trounced them to win by two and a half lengths in 1:11.16 and record his sixth win from eighteen starts. The time was nine lengths better than any other on the day. It was his first left-handed win and he could make some sprinter-milers in New Zealand look like reserve graders if he stays happy and healthy. Scapolo, an eighteen-win galloper, ran home very well from the rear but it is very telling that this G1 placed under WFA and G2 winner plus countless other Group and Listed wins and placings in New Zealand could be beaten so soundly. The actual gap between top shelf and second tier or lower is massive and Hong Kong rejects gallopers find New Zealand depth so shallow they rejuvenate and then thrive. Scapolo did well but ran the finishing position he should have on his record. Salamanca fresh up was wide then sat second the outer and fought on well for third and only just missed holding onto second money. Irish Moon the leader was headed at the 100m and swamped late to miss a place and end up fourth, a nose and short neck from second. Natuzzi ran on okay for a 9yo resuming and made it an old timers top five finish. Il Cavallo, usually an on pacer, was ridden cold and ran on for sixth so that could be the way the 7yo is now handled. Untamed Diamond a fresh up mare back from Australia had a nightmare wide run to finish seventh beaten just under five lengths but the effort was much better than it seems and many others would have dropped right out after such a gutbuster. Splurge was dreadful and never looked like justifying his favouritism out the back and only got warmed up when the race was all over. Volks Lightning was poor from handy the inner and Honey Rider has not come up this season it seems after a third flop in a row now. Her zest for racing seems to have gone and she needs to lead or else the effort is not there anymore. Packing Eagle could beat these every time and on better footing and clockwise could humiliate them, as he has that second gear to go too the run home that they do not. Scapolo was the second best performed in the field so should finish runner up in an old timers shut out. Tellingly the four youngest runners (three 5yo’s and a 4yo) filled the last four spots over the line and WFA may not be there go.