This Listed 1600m Open Handicap drew a modest field of nine and almost saw the same quinella occur as last year. The track was allowed to be a Good2 surprisingly and the times were nothing flash all day plus just two favourites saluted on the nine-race card. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were second (wide), third (wide), fourth (own), fifth (wide), led, ninth (inside), sixth (wider), fourth and co-leader (outer). Boots N All ran second in this last year carrying 53kg but went one better today with 59.5kg after racing seventh the outer mostly and coming up sixth and the widest runner turning for home. The 6yo gelding produced a sustained finish the run home to be second at the 200m and closing at the 100m before leading with 25m to go. He won by a neck in 1:35.18 to record his ninth with in thirty-eight starts and five of them have come at the mile plus four of those mile wins have come right here at Timaru. Today was his second Listed win, the other coming at Riccarton in January of 2018 plus he has been G2 placed twice, G3 placed once and Listed placed once. Wild Jack, a Benchmark 82 winner prior (three or four classes inferior to this) worked hard wide early then took the lead and was only collared the final 25m. It was his first ever Blacktype attempt and the fact he almost pulled it off is quite telling on the opposition overall. Kolonel Kev won this last year with 53kg and ran a close third under 59.5kg after racing sixth the inner and getting off the inside across the top. He came up fifth and the second widest runner turning from home and then like the winner kept coming and fought hard to the line but that lack of ping was the determining factor. Gallant Boy under topweight of 60kg trailed the leaders and fought well for fourth beaten less than two lengths. Kiwi Ida again showed the mile is not her strongest point and after settling down last and ridden cold deliberately she ran on late for fifth but was over four and a half lengths from the winner. The rest battled and weakened the run home in what was not a fast run mile so the pressure was never really on and maybe the harder footing caused some angst to let go fully. The 1:35.18 time record did not stack up well with the rest of the days racing at all as a Benchmark72 (five grades inferior) winner at $16 clocked 1:35.73 or just over three lengths inferior. A Benchmark65 for fillies and mares (six classes inferior) winner ran 1:36.03 (less than six lengths inferior) and a maiden (seven classes inferior) winner ran 1:36.38 (seven lengths inferior). The first four home will win more races in the South Island but doubtful they could score in the North Island bar a typical weakfish Trentham field or something of that ilk but most likely no, as not good enough and that shows the actual standard/level.