The eight winners at this meeting and where they turned for home in order were fifth (two and a half lengths from leader), led, fifth (three lengths from leader), fourth, second, fifth (two lengths from lead), led and led. It was impossible to win from too far away turning for home, as is always the case at Arawa Park when the footing presented is decent. This Listed 1950m Open Handicap saw the first three at the 400m form the trifecta after they had settled down trailing, second the outer and fifth. Peso was in a three-way tussle for the early lead the inner before taking a trail and once he came one-off and avoided a stopping leader was through and ominous turning for home. The 7yo gelding challenged at the 200m and led soon after then went on to score by almost a length in 1:57.26. The time was a little less than three lengths superior to the Benchmark65 (four to five grades inferior) held prior. Peso was winning his sixth race in twenty-seven starts and he won the Benchmark 65 at this meeting a year ago so has been a late maturer and/or the depth he is meeting is getting worse and more shallow. Woodsman was massive and must have won but for such an overlander working early when four-wide a lap out and only got over second the outer midrace. The 7yo gelding attacked for the lead across the top and got it to be in front at the 400m but was a sitting duck and headed at the 150m. He fought well all things considered and if you swap the barrier draws then he surely wins the race. Highlad had a good run fifth then moved up third wide at the 400m and fought well to be beaten a length. Igraine the favourite ran home powerfully but far too late for fourth and was a track bias victim. The 6yo mare does not have to settle so far back so bettors had every right to be disgruntled but once again she drew out and track bias can beat most runners and riders. He's Cavalier raced sixth and had every possible hope when finishing fifth beaten three and a half lengths. Maygrove battled on okay but had every chance too. Strolling Vagabond was running on late from well back and as was Excalibur. Kyrie Eleison battled on okay while Athena Baby after being in the early burn weakened out. The rest could not cope under their weight and with the track bias favouring on pacers. Peacock ran last and was beaten almost twenty-nine lengths but spare the gelding a thought as he had not raced for three and a quarter years and had an absolute gutbuster with an apprentice atop in a Listed race. The now 7yo gelding was wide attacking for the for lead for 600m then went clear in front only to get taken on across the top and headed off at the 450m. He comes half way around the world and first up in 39 months and gets a nightmare gassing so will sleep well. Clearly he needs a senior rider atop.