This Prestige Steeplechase (5500m) saw Wise Men Say revel in the distance and roomier track to score. The Prestige Hurdle winner earlier in the day was the reigning Great Northern Hurdle winner from last September and Wise Men Say won the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) last Spring too, The rising 9yo gelding was winning his eighth race today and seven of those have come as a jumper (six as a steeplechaser and once as a hurdler). He raced closer than usual and was an ominous third after 1000m then got left in the lead with 1200m to go. His strength and stamina then saw a three length win in 7.31.96. Wise Men Say was runner up in this last year carrying 68.5kg and today handled the 70kg with relative ease. A defence of his Great Northern Steeplechase crown is a worry since that race will be held on the flat sand-slittled Te Rapa track this year owing to Ellerslie being out of action until the Spring. Chocolate Fish ran a game second after being fourth mostly then moving into third across the top and second turning for home. Amanood Lad, which won this last year, ran a brave third after always being handy in the running carrying 71kg. Top Choice was a distant fourth but considering he is a one-win steeplechaser the effort was not too bad. The rest were beaten over twenty lengths up to almost forty-nine lengths and found the trip, footing and opposition too strong. Venerate was going well in or near the lead when losing his rider 1200m from home after a messy jump. Wise Men Say has these covered on a course that makes stamina imperative and especially so when the footing is testing. He would have been a lock to defend his Great Northern Steeplechase crown if back at Ellerslie and three times over the hill.