This sprint at Listed level was an Open Handicap run and won over 1200m by Mascarpone in 1:10.31. The 4yo gelding ran third favourite and after racing sixth then fifth the outer moved up into third at the 350m before unleashing fully to lead at the 100m and scored by a length. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were led (a head in front on the inside), co-leader (three-off the inside), third (one-off the fence and two lengths from the leader), led (one-off the inside and a head in front), tenth (five-off the inside and three and a half lengths from the leader), fifth (four-off the inside and two and a half lengths from the leader), led (on the fence and a length in front), sixth (four-off the inside fence and three lengths from the leader) and sixth (six-off the inside and three lengths from the leader). Half the card either led (four times) or turned for home in the top three (one runner) so the inside lanes were fine. The times in the main were sedate suggesting a sprint home for half the card or more and the farthest a winner came from all day was three and a half lengths from the leader. Mascarpone has been in super form this season with prior to today having raced four times for two wins and two placings. His win today took his record to six wins from fourteen outings and he has only finished outside the top four twice in his career to date with a flop fifth of six at G1 as a 3yo and an eighth at Listed level the following outing. He is by the Australian horse Shooting To Win from the Australian dam Fromage but is called a New Zealand horse. His starting price was a $1.70 prior when third and beaten on his merits by nearly two lengths but today with 4kg less scored and paid a handsome $6.10. Coventina Bay flashed home for second from ninth turning for home and this Central Districts mare has not won this time in but has run some rippers. She is a winner in waiting surely. Third home was a resuming Short Fuse that came from eighth and wide on the home turn to also unleash a big run and she was ridden by an apprentice it should be noted. Fourth home was Mr Universe that raced third mostly and turned in fourth but fought well for after reaching second at the 200m. The Australian bred fresh up Spring Heat ran a good fifth after being seventh and wide turning for home and she was beaten just over two lengths. A gap then came to Burgundy Belle that raced fourth the inner and only battled to be sixth and beaten four lengths at the line. Seventh home was Campari fresh up and the mare was noticed running on well from second last turning for home. Rikki Tikki Tavi ran on late for eighth after being last turning in while New York Jazz plugged on from sixth the inner on settling. The clear favourite resuming Endless Drama raced on the pace then kicked away by a length only to faint and be headed at the 200m. The 9yo entire stopped like a pricked balloon late to finish second last and be beaten almost seven and a half lengths after looking the winner early in the run home. Last home and outclassed was Ihu that raced second the outer and then tried to match motors with Endless Drama across the top to the home turn. Every runner in this field bar two carried the minimum of 53kg so the fifth fresh up by the mare Spring Heat at 58k was commendable and the second last by Endless Drama at 60kg was a shocker. The winner Mascarpone when set up as he was today can be lethal but he is prone to running some weak races too. He is a sprinter only it does seem now and when able to unleash one run at them is at his best. Coventina Bay has not won this time in but has gone super each time and this natural backrunner is but a proper track (not as biased as Te Rapa) away from victory. This was a decent field for a Listed event and contained many winners for this season once properly placed or seasoned or on more helpful surfaces.