The race time for the G3 2400m at least was a respectable 2:28.05 as staying races have been crawls at Ellerslie for an eternity it seems. The stamina depth in New Zealand is a worry and riders are loathe to force the issue so even they feel or know their mounts have serious limitations. The one saving grace was the winner and third finisher are 4yo male stayers in Delago’s Secret and Show The World. The worry is a 6yo gelding Surpass almost won it and he was a well-tried return home from Australia galloper that nearly has won back-to-back G3 staying races and is now a major Cups contender. Delago’s Secret swept up from the back turning for home and led at the 200m but had to dig deep the repel a brave Surpass that carried 3.5kg more. Surpass was battling midweek in Melbourne so the fact he is now a Cups chance should be of real concern and earlier in the card today Awesome Goal won the Dunstan Final. Awesome Goal was a one-win stayer in Australia battling midweek and came back to New Zealand as a prospective jumper. He is now a Cups chance too so surely the message is being delivered loud and clear. Show The World was more like his best and clearly likes the pace being at least decent plus can swim if the rains come. Sampson stuck on after sitting second the outer and will be a pace influence in Wellington and/or Auckland Cups thankfully. Farm Boy was okay as was Duquesa plus special mention to Lion Red, as he was wide throughout and deserved what his name is after the race before having a well deserved snooze. Once again we had carnage on the home turn today with The Fire Inside clipping heels and losing her rider plus it should be noted the 4yo mare was going well at the time. Several copped interference or their riders had to grab hold and Deane Martin actually hurdled the fallen rider Michael McNab. If a return home stayer like Surpass is a Cups horse in either direction in New Zealand then the stamina depth is simply not here in New Zealand anymore. The richest race is a juvenile event open only to certain youngsters so the path New Zealand racing is taking now goes against what was considered a breeding given for all generations past. Delago’s Secret and Show The World at least are 4yo gallopers but the latter was demolished in Australia more than once so there needs to be a dose of perspective and realism.