This G3 for fillies and mares only over 1600m saw an all the way winner in Residential in slow time on a day the times were alarmingly fast except for this Blacktype feature event. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were seventh (six-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), seventh (five-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), third (three-off the inside and half a length from the leader), ninth (seven-off the inside (widest) and three lengths from the leader, sixth (six-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), sixth (five-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), third (four-off the inside and a length from the leader), co-leader (on the inside) and led (four-off the inside and a neck ahead). The 5yo mare Residential was not away cleanly but sped through second the outer early and then took the front. She was clear across the top and then joined turning for home before kicking clear at the 400m and holding a winning buffer at the 200m. Residential ended up winning by half a length and clocked a hard to accept 1:36.90 on a supposed Good3 track, as average maidens can run 1:36, so something is awry. It was her ninth win in thirty-six starts and her first Blacktype win (or place) as an older mare, as she last won at Stakes level with three Listed race successes as a 3yo. She sprinted home fast yes but the time is still a head scratcher as so ridiculously slow remembering she was two lengths clear in front midrace so was not exactly walking at this stage. Zabay ran on well for second after racing handy the inner and then working off across the top and at her first Blacktype attempt now has a G3 second on the resume. Contessa Vanessa the odds on favourite ran a disappointing third after racing handy the outer and moving up near the home turn wide to challenge turning in. She has not won a race for over a year and may have forgotten to salute. Zentessa screamed home for fourth finishing two-to-one to anything else and surely could have won if not settled so far back and still being last and wide turning for home. The 4yo mare is better than a three-win galloper and some cushion or cut in the track is obviously the key with her as today may have been too form underfoot. The Sparkle ran on closer in from tenth the inner and briefly reached fourth at the 200m. Shirley Maude was not too bad for sixth after settling down eighth while Feeling The Love was chasing the winner and then came off the inside across the top before battling the final 200m. Red River Rock missed away clearly, so disregard the commentator saying it was a perfect start, as that was not true and did not happen and the video as always proves it every single time. She is a one-win mare so is allergic to the winning post but plugged on today and surely her stable can find a soft kill race for the 5yo. Flying Sardine and Wize Act disappointed and the ground was likely too firm as otherwise there is no excuse. The last two home were outclassed as they are not Group quality gallopers. Residential won a G3 race today that was not of that level and greatly lacked depth, which is even more so if Contessa Vanessa was not part of it as then it was Listed at best for sure. The fact the now 5yo mare has not won or placed at Blacktype level since her 3yo days is telling in itself. The fact Contessa Vanessa could not blow away this lot is telling too and does highlight the glaring lack of WFA depth in New Zealand for a while now. The fact she has not won a race for over a year just confirms the worst fears the same old same old are running against each other and proving nothing. Zentessa should have won and if not so far away turning for home likely would have as she finished that fast too late. Rain-affected footing seems her basic requirement to stay in touch then surge but being ridden decently is not her fault and never will be.