Sakhee’s Soldier made it four wins in a row today from five starts this season and overall an impressive six wins from twelve starts with three placings. The strongly built closer made the step up today to G3 under set weights and penalties so was badly in at 55kg as the runner up Veyron had just 2kg more and was a five-time G1 winner. The last three wins in succession for Sakhee’s Soldier have come at the mile but this 4yo should run middle distance the way he finds the line. His dam Surreptitiously is by Machiavellian so maybe WFA at 2000m is on the cards for this gelding out of the in form yard of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman. Veyron is now a 9yo and finding his next win hard to come by. The last time he saluted was August of 2013 albeit at G2 at Warwick Farm under 59kg. A tardy start then getting slaughtered to loop the field and lead at the 1000m cost the old boy as although he fought hard when tackled and headed at the 100m, his conqueror was more than half his age younger. His record is good but should have and would have been much better but for being ridden diabolically badly so often and in wide lanes working overtime. Shandream held onto third after getting a soft sit and is clearly a handicapper only plus the set weights and penalties conditions of this race saw her get a luxurious 53.5kg. The worst ridden in the race today was Packing Tycoon by Rory Hutchings, whose names does appear way too often in stakes races under the deadest slaughter and tactical howler categories. Packing Tycoon was back and wide the whole way then sent up deeper near the home turn only to turn in the widest by far then unleashed. After reaching fourth at the 200m he kept coming bravely and surely would have got third money at least if ridden half decently. Dresden Park ran a nice race for fifth under 53kg for a 4yo mare that is just a three-win galloper at the moment. She is in for a good preparation and blacktype will come her way if she stays happy and healthy. The two runners to forgive ran second last and last namely Deane Martin and Graphic as they are stayers and the mile today was not ideal. Deane Martin was hampered then tardy and never cleared the rear but he is on a stamina campaign geared at the G1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in March but likely taking in the 2400m feature races at Ellerslie and Trentham over January first. Graphic was ridden upside down going forward wide and urged to sit second the outer plus was second up at 57kg so he absurdly had the same weight as Veyron. Just how far the winner Sakhee’s Soldier can go is an unknown but with the depth in New Zealand racing suspect at 2000m or further he may even end up a WFA player where the ranks are very dubious. He clocked 1:35.13 today and that was probably the best time on a day of below par clockings. His time was nine lengths superior to the previous race winner Emily Monk that won well and beat a very poorly ridden and huge in defeat Margin Trader. Veyron is unlikely to race as a 10yo so these are his last throws at the stumps this season. Shandream in sprints or handicap mile maximum events will keep embellishing her future broodmare record. Packing Tycoon with a change in rider can be force this summer and autumn at any level. Dresden Park a name to follow and in the stamina department the Cups are on the agenda for Graphic and Deane Martin.