This was not a very strong field at all for the G3 NZ Cup (3200m) and the time-honoured event drew just a dozen runners, which is almost unheard of certainly in modern times. Gobstopper, a 5yo that had never run in an Open Handicap before today incredibly and had not run for almost a month prior to today led all the way. The gelding was clear in front by eight lengths at the midway stage and then had a breather across the top causing some main rivals to lodge a bid but his rider Sam Spratt, who had ridden Hasahalo earlier to win the G1 3yo filly event easily, was foxing. Gobstopper kicked away at the 200m and in the end won by three and a half lengths in 3:23.79, which is nothing fantastic at all and in fact an average par for the course. It was his sixth win in twenty-one starts and up until today the furthest he had attempted was 2400m. Pentathlon the short priced favourite ran a sound second but had his chance albeit not being helped when his rider moved midrace he was kept out working deeper by others for a lot long then he expected. Kaharau ran on for third after sitting seventh mostly while Sampson finished fourth to see the top three saddlecloth numbers finish second, third and fourth respectively. Imperium got too far back and was being ridden along a fair way out though was running on late but beaten almost seven lengths. Bee Tee Junior was grinding away the run home as did She’s Poppy then the gaps started to get wider. Nothing Trivial reached fourth turning for home stopped fainted to finish eighth beaten ten lengths. The rest got beaten almost a dozen lengths up to over twenty-six lengths and the last runner home Sureasyouwereborn was gone across the top and found to have suffered cardiac arrhythmia. This was a dreadful field and many could not stay plus proved that today as they and got towelled up deluxe by a kept fresh leader that was trying 3200m for the first time and taking on his first ever Open Handicap that just so happened to be at G3. Gobstopper sucked the life out of these in a far from strongly run race and when he let some get close then showed his second wind it was in fact they that changed colour and fainted.