It was a torrid run race and in particular early on with the first G1 winner of the season in Kawi now a red hot favourite to complete the Hastings Triple Crown, which no other horses has achieved so far. A quartet went silly early and ensured the quickest 1400m time on the day of 1:22.25 that was over thirteen lengths superior to anything else posted. Kawi was wining his seventh race in sixteen outings and has only been out of the first four twice in that time (including a fifth after being relegated from second). It was his first win at G1 and under the WFA scale versus all comers. His rider for today Leith Innes got over tenth from a wide draw and was coasting across the top wide about to go thanks to the leaders having gone hard early on. A sharp surge near the home turn saw the 5yo gelding loom large centre track turning in before unleashing into second at the 200m. He picked up an uber-brave Ryan Mark inside the final 100m and won by over a length with plenty left in the tank. It will be a big call to take Innes off Kawi for the second leg of the Triple Crown here over the mile and put back on a suspended Jonathan Parkes, his regular rider, especially the way it settled for him then detonated. Ryan Mark was the run of the race and in fact was colossal in defeat. He must have won but for such a hard overland run when not getting a breather and being a sitting duck at the 200m having taken the front 100m earlier. Ryan Mark was four-wide in the lead early for rider Michael Coleman and then when tried to be eased was left sixth wide in the open and still working. Once sent up third wide across the top then challenging turning for home he strode to the front only to be bombed inside the final 100m by Kawi that had not spent a penny in the running. Ginner Hart ran a huge race for third at 40-1 and the 7yo gelding may well put the overall form worth into proper perspective, as he has never been competitive at G1. He was midfield wide but had cover and came up fourth turning for home likely before reaching third at the 200m and fighting on to hold that placing. Addictive Habit was a typical fourth getting his second wind late having been in the early drag race before being handy the outer across the top. He lost his position near the home turn between runners before getting going again late and does have that flat spot in his races that is a worry. Vespa was a sound sixth and was a tad luckless but importantly proved he could handle this level at WFA. He raced between runners fifth or sixth then found tight quarters near the home turn and early the run home to go back to eighth before hitting the line well. Turn Me Loose was three-wide on the pace in the early drag race then sent up outside the leader at the 800m before challenging across the top to the home turn. It was no surprise he was run over into fourth at the 200m then swamped late to finish sixth as that was a gut-buster considering the 4yo had not raced since last spring. His tactical speed is a plus most times but was his downfall here and regular rider Opie Bosson did not have a good day at all. He would surely like to take back a couple of his wide rides for the Murray Baker/Andrew Forsman yard. Nashville ran on well late from last and wide turning for home to get seventh so considering this 7yo has not won a race for sixteen months he may still have something to offer this campaign. Pondarosa Miss was a sound eighth and the mare is getting better with each outing so the mile next time out and then 2040m after that are both looking ideal at this stage. Pussy O’Reilly was disappointing to finish ninth considering the soft inside run she got but may well have been ridden too close, as she is a known stout closer. Thorn Prince battled away not too badly while Puccini was average and Whoseyourmaster looks like he is just a sprinter. Soriano was very ordinary and Farm Boy is looking for further while The Filly needs wetter footing. Tomorrowland stopped badly the run home after being taken on but is better than that so maybe a case of the second up syndrome. Kawi will be very hard to stop getting the Triple Crown but 2040m in the last leg could be the lone query he still needs to answer. His trainer Alan Sharrock hinted the G1 Australian Cup (2000m) next autumn at Flemington could be a target and did not seem to be interested in tackling the Spring Carnival in Melbourne at this stage. Ryan Mark has never been tried at a mile so the second leg of the Triple Crown would seem a risk but the way he went today after a horror run wide and working throughout his trainer John Morell must be tempted. Addictive Habit would like some rain while Nashville still may have the verve this season the way he performed. The 4yo pair Vespa and Turn Me Loose both showed they are not out of their depth at this level and should be competitive at home. Whether they are in Australia is still in doubt as G1 at WFA is a serious stepping-stone. Handicap racing would still suit both more but a G1 race like the Telegraph under set weights and penalties would be ideal for either. The 1200m down the chute and around the dogleg at Trentham has always been like a 1400m event since they go flat out from the outset. Pondarosa Miss is close to paying a dividend this time in while the rest will need to find a few lengths at least to show they have improvement to come. Puccini and Soriano are surely better than what they displayed while Whosyourmaster may have confirmed he is just a 1200m sprinter.