This Prestige Steeplechase over 6400m was contested on the likely most testing Ellerslie bog track ever with every race on the day littered with runners walking home beaten by massive margins or pulling up totally spent. This field of just nine runners was not a very strong line up and three runners never finished and one other crossed the line beaten seventy-one lengths and was euthanased soon after. The equal youngest runner in the race, the 8yo Wise Men Say was lobbing along fifth or sixth then moved up to challenge a lap out before his rider decided it was time to make a statement on top of the hill for the third and final time. Wise Men Say took the lead and was never headed thereafter going on to score by twelve and a half lengths and clocked 9:31.50, the slowest ever time in this race by a considerable amount. It was his sixth win in twenty-one starts and there is no reason why he cannot come back and defend his crown in 2018. Upper Cut raced close and tried hard and has now run in this event for the last three years for a fell, a fourth and now a second. Tizza Secret settled back and dropped out last the final lap before getting his second wind and passing some exhausted rivals to improve markedly with 600m to run. He reached third turning for home and held that spot very easily to be beaten six and a half lengths. The Oysterman finished fourth but was beaten thirty-seven lengths and staggered home like Mr Mor, that was defeated forty and a half lengths. Kina Win, the South Island raider having his first race clockwise, staggered home beaten seventy-one lengths then sadly had to be euthanased after fracturing his left foreleg. Amanood Lad lost his rider coming down the hill for the third and final time with his hoop having lost the use of the left stirrup iron and became unbalanced then got dislodged. Nell’s Belle set the pace but once headed on the hill for the final time stopped to a walk and was pulled up before the final fence. Mendoza a maiden steeplechaser settled back and never looked likely before pulling up before the last fence. This was not a strong field at all and an ageing one but the winner Wise Men Say looks like he will be back here next year as a 9yo. Most of these however will not be back as father time has beaten them and this trip with three times over the Ellerslie hill is a climb too far.