This Prestige Steeplechase over 4800m saw a Waverley trained winner fittingly in an emotional show of respect and remembrance for so many grieving souls. A head on car accident a few days earlier near the Waverley track saw the worst motor vehicle crash in New Zealand for thirteen years and seven people killed. Justa Charlie sat back and was still there across the top before he improved through the field near the home turn to reach fifth turning in and then surged to lead with 200m to go. The rising 10yo held out his rivals to win by just under half a length in 6:23.36 and record his third steeplechase win from four outings with the other start resulting in a second, also in a Prestige event. Justa Charlie has also won four hurdle races and is a wonderfully consistent leaper. His fourteen hurdle starts have yielded four wins, seven placings, a fourth and two fifths so he absolutely loves his fences. Wise Men Say fought hard for second after racing a lot handier than normal and it showed he could be ridden this way. Chocolate Fish ran home stoutly for third after racing back then coming up sixth and deepest out turning for home. Kings Deep gave a sight in front and when headed at the 200m fought gamely for fourth to be beaten two and a half lengths. Thenamesbond led or raced on the pace or near it most of the way before wilting a tad but he never chucked in the towel the run home. Max sat last and was too far away across the top but kept coming for sixth beaten just under seven lengths. The rest stopped to be beaten seventeen and a half lengths and up to just under twenty-two lengths. Three runners did not finish with two losing their riders and the other pulling up before clearing the final fence. Justa Charlie has never finished worse than fifth as a steeplechaser or hurdler in a total of eighteen fencing starts but today was his most poignant performance.