The finish was all off pacers bar the third placed Warhorse (trailed pace inner), as the first 800m was torrid and several runners were gassed by their riders and extinguished the chances of others at the same time. The winning time of 1:22.87 is the fifth fastest this century but the gaps between the field over the line were very big indeed. The quinella of Choice Bro and Magic Shaft (stablemates too) was Australian bred youngsters and they are starting to dominate G1 juvenile racing in New Zealand, with three wins in this race alone in the last four years. Australian bred juveniles have won this race five times this century with Little Jamie (2000), San Luis (2001), The Heckler (2009), Anabandana (2011) and Choice Bro this year. Three riders have won the race twice this century with Michael Coleman (The Heckler in 2009 and Nightlign in 2007), Noel Harris (Il Quello Veloce in 2008 and San Luis in 2001) and Lance O’Sullivan (Little Jamie in 2000 and Maroofity in 2003). Coleman was second this year aboard Magic Shaft and just a head away from a threepeat. John Sargent had won this race with the filly Il Quello Veloce in 2008 and Matamata trained runners have a super record in the race and it is the dominant training area. Four of first five home either began poorly or copped some crowding so it was an advantage to settle back early, as the leaders went silly and then attacked each other until the home turn emptying the tanks of many runners. Warhorse looks likely to win juvenile of the year with a G1 win and G1 placing now on his resume. Fix is the one that should have won the race and the filly could be special, as she was in a wide lane throughout then hung and ran very wide turning for home but attacked the line deep out on the tractor strip. It was some run. Special mention to another filly in Soriano as it was never on the track or given a breather by the rider and after such a slaughter should have dropped right out but she tried ever so hard. Soriano has Oaks written all over her for next season and already looks like a Group filly. Rollout The Carpet never looked to be travelling at any stage and unraveled in the run home like a filly over the top for the season. The many that tried for the lead were beaten by vast amounts and the tactical nous of several riders was a very poor read on the race pace, so all can be forgiven and will sleep well. A good horse or two often comes out of this race and importantly it is more often than not placegetters or brave unplaced runners. The 2012 running was a strong field of youngsters overall.