This G2 at WFA 1200m was run on a testing and sodden Te Rapa track so many runners efforts can be completely dismissed and irrelevant when assessing their future prospects. The track was dreadful and for all that excessive sand-slitting four of the last five winners drew gates 14 (in a field of 15), 13 (in a field of 14), 9 (in a field of 12) and 9 (in a field of 15). The field today was not a G2 line up or even near it and this race has not justified the upgrade since it happened three years ago plus the footing just made matters worse for many. Underthemoonlight came from the rear duo to swim clear down the outer and win by three-quarters of a length in 1:14.56 for the 1200m and that is a very ordinary time for this track. The 6yo mare was winning her fifth race in twenty-two starts and incredibly today was her first win at 1200m. She has placed eleven times, so is consistent and for even more proof of this trait has finished first four in eighteen of her twenty-two starts. Another wet Spring would be welcomed by the connections of this mare as last year it seemed to rain all the way through to November. Underthemoonlight has never won on a good or dead footing and while lightly tried it is improved ground that could see her found out and more than one run on good conditions could be a problem. She has never tackled G1 grade before but the WFA depth has been rather dubious, certainly overrated locally and weak for quite a while in New Zealand, so when a mare is in form you have to have a crack at it. Close Up ran a strongly from the back to finish second in this and showed the result was incredibly suspect and the race not a true G2 as the 8yo gelding had prior only been tried at Listed level twice for a fifth and a tenth. Kawi ran on well for third after getting back too, so the first three home were ridden cold either by design or naturally could not go early in the footing or because they drew middle and wide. The one aspect regarding Kawi is he was two and a half lengths from second and three and a quarter lengths from the winner, so for a multiple G1 winner in New Zealand only he should have done better. The footing is the likely duller of his sharp closing surge and he is still to cross the line first in a race at Te Rapa. Southern Icon, the leader and he really likes this track, gave them something to run down with his fourth beaten three and a half lengths a game effort. He was the first on pacer home and looking at the finish that is even more commendable in hindsight. Authentic Paddy trailed on the inner and fought on okay while the backrunning mare North And South hit the line well the closing stages. Packing Eagle was the unheralded effort for seventh beaten just under five lengths with the reject 7yo from Hong Kong sitting wide in the midfield then improving gradually but being deep throughout. He will fear nothing in New Zealand once he gets out to his best trip of 1400m and can run the mile, with a G1 third to the star galloper Maurice ample proof. Before he was purchased from New Zealand to race in Hong Kong he won all his three trials left-handed, so directionally is not a problem. Mighty Solomon lacked room at a critical time early in the run home but battled on so is an improver. Mime was a tad disappointing after making a likely run at the 300m then she seemed to hit a flat spot and one-bat but logically she is an improver for when next seen out. Rangipo was only fair the inside but he will want better footing for sure nowadays while Coldplay was held up turning in then showed no ping the closing stages, so maybe the footing was a contributing factor. Perfect Fit was a flop but sat third wide in the open and never let go in the ground so dismiss the effort entirely, as she will not be ridden like that again surely. Lucyinrio was outclassed at WFA and is a handicapper only at this stage with natural speed while No More Tears, runner up in this last year, was last away and never fired a shot. This result is dubious as more than likely you run this on decent footing and you get a completely different result plus the most telling aspect of this WFA race was not a single 4yo (male or female) paid up. That tells you they are targeting G1 in New Zealand or will be chasing prestige in Australia over the Spring, so will either have a hitout run at home or go straight over and acclimatize.