The dramatic weather change saw this G3 1400 Open Handicap become a rain-affected track finish as the 6yo gelding Sultan Of Swing won by a long head over another 6yo gelding in Magnum. The track at Te Rapa today was all over the place causing rightful suspicion and a lack of confidence as it went from a Dead5 into a Dead4 and then out to a Dead6. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were fifth (length and a half from the leader), third (length and a half from leader), second (outer), fifth (three and a half lengths from leader), seventh (four lengths from the leader), seventh (four lengths from the leader), second (two-off the fence and a length from the leader), ninth (two and a half lengths from the leader) and fifth (two and a half lengths from the leader). Sultan Of Swing settled down last in a nine-horse field that was affected by the late scratching of Stratocaster due to the heavy downpour prior that downgraded the track two points at least. The gelding came the second widest runner turning for home and surged into second at the 200m then was very close up at the 100m before leading at the 5m after a ding donger. He clocked 1:24.04 and the race that followed this was a Ratings65 (five grades or more inferior) and the winner in that ran 1:24.81 (four lengths inferior) for some perspective. Sultan Of Swing was winning his eighth race from twenty-seven starts and this was his first ever Blacktype victory after six prior attempts netted two third placings. Magnum was not helped by the downpour that dropped the track rating two points before this race was allowed to be run. The former Singapore galloper has found New Zealand depth very suitable as a Listed win and now two G3 placings will attest. He raced fifth on his own then moved up third wide across the top and led at the 250m then was in a dinger donger the final 75m only to lose that battle narrowly. Save The Date was a close up third and got her first Blacktype placing at her fourth attempt and after sitting second last came up the widest turning in and ran home stoutly. Ugo Foscolo again flattered to deceive with another win or nowhere effort when finishing fourth and he is another G1 NZ 2000 Guineas winner to either flop completely afterwards or not do the business outside New Zealand where it matters or both. Embellish, Ugo Foscolo and Xtravagant have been the last three winners of the race prior to Madison County this November and they make for thoroughly disappointing reading and performance or in summary they are not or were not genuine. Ronchi was average again today and Watch This Space stopped as did Southern Icon while Donna Anne Billy was outclassed and Passing Shot finished a distant last. This was not a G3 race or anywhere near it and the weather turn made the result even more dubious than it already was. The trio of Blacktype races on the card today could all face a warning or downgrade in the very near future as all were nowhere of standard and this was the worst of them.