The winner of this G2 over 2000m under WFA was the $1.70 pop Beauden that led out then sat fourth the inner in the trail before working off and being asked to improve wide across the top. The 6yo gelding strode up and led turning for home and only had one threat at the 300m and 150m but kicked too well to score by long neck in 2:02.17. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were tenth (eight-off the fence and four lengths from the leader), twelfth (four-off the fence and six lengths from the leader), led (four-off the fence and half a length from the leader), second (two-off the fence and half length from the leader), eighth (four-off the fence and three lengths from the leader), fifth (seven-off the fence and three lengths from the leader), tenth (eight-off the fence and four lengths from the leader), fifth (three-off the fence and two and a half lengths from the leader), led (five-off the fence and a neck in front) and fifteenth (five-off the fence and four lengths from the leader). Toady was the twelfth win in thirty-seven starts for Beauden and his G3 win here came on the back of a G2 win at his prior outing. In his last six outings he has won four times (a Listed win was the other Blacktype win) and finished fourth twice (both coming at G1). He has become a Cups king as this last four wins have been the Taupo Cup, Marton Cup, Awapuni Gold Cup and now the Canterbury Gold Cup. Second home and giving the odds on winner a fright was another North Islander in Hypnos that raced seventh the inner and came off across the top only to be held up turning for home. The 5yo gelding drove through to second at the 300m and was trying hard at the 150m but came up just short at the line. He had won here at G2 last November over the mile. Third home and distant was Whale Song that raced eighth the outer and was angled wider across the top then surfed into third at the 300m. However this 5yo gelding could not live with the first two thereafter and ended up beaten almost five lengths and he was ridden by the apprentice Kavish Chowdhorry. There was a gap back to fourth in Beneficial at $64 after the 6yo mare sat back eleventh surrounded and was over-racing but ran home well to get fourth on the post. Fifth home was Major Tom at $33 after he raced wide sixth mostly and came up fourth wider turning for home. He only lost fourth on the post so the effort was game and no surprise then that he won his next start after this. Sixth home was Bronte Beach with the 4yo mare ridden by apprentice Kozzi Asano and she was game after racing ninth wide the whole way but she kept coming the run home. Next home was Lightning Jack that raced twelfth and went wide across the top and ran on late though he was beaten just over seven lengths. Next home was the rising 11yo deep Southern marvel in Gallant Boy that raced fifth then fourth and he just battled the run home but he was far from disgraced. Eighth home was William Wallace that settled last after a slow start and he was angled wide across the top to the home turn and ran on okay. The rest got beaten eight lengths and up to just over fourteen lengths with mostly plugging or battling efforts though the last three home all weakened. This G2 feature was won and run over five lengths faster than the G3 3yo filly feature held two races prior. The winner Beauden is in form and racing well plus he is hard to get past at Group level but the runner up Hypnos gave him a super race and contest the final 300m. It was no surprise this pair were well clear at the line as they are the superior pair here and both have plenty of racing left in them.