This G3 1200m under Open Handicap conditions was a competitive race and less than five lengths covered the thirteen horse field overt the line. Julius, a whopper of a horse that has had his issues due to size, remained unbeaten this campaign with another dominant victory. The 6yo gelding that casts a colossal shadow was on the speed early before his rider wisely handed up after a couple of hundred metres and ended up fourth the outer in a great spot. Once the big bodied sprinter was asked to surge it did not take long for his impressive stride to hit full length and he led at the 200m and was clear at the 100m. He ended up winning by a length and a quarter and clocked 1:09.42 for what was his fifth win from just nine starts, so what could have been had he been able to race more and stay healthy as even a 4yo or 5yo. Julius has never been out of the top three and that includes on dry and wet footing so the he is like a tank in that he rolls on all track conditions. Romancer ran on well after an awkward start and settling down second last and just maybe he is a sprinter only having been tried up to 2100m as a 3yo. Elusive Treasure ran on gamely for third after fifth or sixth the inner on settling and at his first blacktype outing was able to embellish the breeding worth of his family. Akoya fought on well for fourth after sitting fifth or sixth the outer, so was alongside the eventual third finisher throughout. Sultan Of Swing was a super fifth and should have finished second at least and may well have given the winner a fright had he been able to find clear air sooner. He was last away and had to be hauled sideways at the 300m before being eighth down the outer with 200m to go. His surge was impressive to be beaten just over a length and three-quarters. Passing Shot sat outside the leader and wilted plus he was one of three that had run in the G1 Telegraph (he finished fourth) a week ago and missed out here. Lewis Caroll was okay at a direction he is yet to win at while Chachar plugged closer late from the back. Enzo’s Lad, the last start upset G1Telegraph winner was rising 4.5kg and having a first run clockwise. He finished ninth beaten just over four and a half lengths and the effort was actually not too bad as he was back and wide then last 100m out. His second wind kicked in and he passed four others. Mahalo plugged away from back on the inner while Ferrando, which had finished a close third in the G1 Telegraph last week weakened out to eleventh beaten just over four and a half lengths. He was wide before speeding up to take the lead after 400m but once headed at the 200m got swamped the final 100m. Fully Funded ran last in the G1 Railway here on January 1 and today beat one never ever looking likely. Speech Craft finished last today having at his previous start been seventh in the G1 Railway, so five runners in this field that had run at the highest level prior all flopped today. Julius is giant horse with speed so intimidation will take him a long way indeed and only health issues can de-tread the Grasslands tank. His trainer John Bell had an exciting one in Mosse a few years ago and that never panned out as the golden galloper he looked until setback and injury ended his racing career. Sultan Of Swing was found out in Australia (five starts for two placings) when tried but if he sticks to New Zealand can reap some rewards where the depth is nowhere near as testing week in and week out.