The first three home were all racemares but that is the norm now in New Zealand racing as the emphasis and advantage is all geared towards the female thoroughbred. Viadana gave her trainer Lance Noble his first G1 winner as an individual trainer and the mare loves the Ellerslie track though the stablemate Brave Centaur was one of the two eyecatching efforts in the race. The runner up Postman’s Daughter was wide throughout and closed gamely for second and Our Famous Eve showed her win prior at G2 was no fluke with a valuable G1 placing. The certainty beaten was the fourth finisher Tyne Cot, the first male runner home. He got well back the inner and rider Rosie Myers angled up the middle for clear air at the 300m and found a wall so went back inwards at the 200m and found a slammed door. She then hooked Tyne Cot out wider very abruptly at the 150m and caused some carnage (she was suspended for it) before pounding home down the outer. Sum Up was big from the rear on settling and is going well for a new stable. Brave Centaur was living proof of why the handicapping in New Zealand is well and truly laughable now as under 59kg (how it got clear topweight is beyond belief over Group performers) it went massive. Noble got his first G1 as a trainer but it should have come with Brave Centaur that could not have been slaughtered wide much worse and working forward than it from the outset. The gelding only got over outside the leader one-off 600m out and was right there in the fight at the 200m to end up sixth beaten just over a length and three quarters. He is the horse that could do something of note if ever fairly weighted but also has the physique for G1 WFA this spring if he stays in New Zealand. The pair of 3yo runners in Neo and Choice Bro went okay with the former much better than the latter. Zurella was a flop as clear favourite and having never paid a dividend clockwise she is fast becoming a money muncher for bettors. The spring Triple Crown left-handed looks a target for her now if that elusive G1 is to be achieved. The only horse that was wider and slaughtered more than Brave Centaur was Miss Pelear for Noel Harris and he will not be keeping this in his replay collection as it is simply a video nasty. The mare did well to be beaten less than five lengths. Sir Lovesalot may be just a sprinter after this display while forgive the former Hong Kong galloper Happy Guys as he looked a classic second up syndrome victim. Innovation finished last but needs a wet track and she got checked at 120m so this mare can be followed over winter with confidence if able to stay sound. The time of 1:34.62 is modest at best as this time-honoured mile has seen some blistering clockings with Pomp And Glory running 1:32.29 in 2004. He never won another race or even placed. Viadana is the third mare to win the last G1 of a New Zealand racing season this century behind Honour Bound (2002) and Calveen (2004). The way the system is set up now more female winners will start to flow as everything is adjusted for them alone. The big course specialist Veyron that had won the last two Easter Handicaps did not go for the hattrick and instead next weekend will line up as an upset chance in the G1 Doncaster Handicap at Randwick. Some names that are in the pantheon of G1 giants of New Zealand racing have won the Easter Handicap and folklore is found and made in this race that was first run in 1874. The 2013 running was not a great field with the only G1 winner in the line up being Choice Bro as a juvenile and that counts for absolutely nothing when it comes to form worth against older horses. The two male names that should cut the mustard this year and onwards are Tyne Cot and Brave Centaur, while the seven mares that ran will all get ample opportunity to ply their trade at home with so many race options and handicapping advantages.