This Listed 1200m Open Handicap saw the two favourites Sensei and The Precious One fight out the finish with a head between the pair at the line. The track was rated a Good3 but the times all day were ordinary so something was awry. The winners and where they turned for home in race order were second (one-off the inside and a neck from the leader), fourth (three-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), fourth (five-off the inside and one length from the leader), led (one off the inside and a length clear), seventh (eight-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), fourth (four-off the inside and a length and a half from the leader), fifth (two-off the inside and four lengths from the leader) and tenth (ten-off the inside and four lengths form the leader). Sensei the Australian bred settled back eighth and wide keen albeit with cover and was sixth deep across the top still with cover before improving fourth and four-wide turning for home. The 4yo entire was still second at the 200m and second at the 100m before taking the lead at the 50m then holding off a spirited challenger to win by a head in 1:11.84 and carried the minimum weight of 53kg. It was his fifth win in sixteen starts and his first Blacktype success that now goes with a G3 second in Open Class, a G3 second as a 3yo and a Listed third as a 2yo. The Precious One (also carrying the minimum weight of 53kg) showed her last start effort was not a fair reflection when settling sixth then turning for home eighth before piercing through the closing stages to second at the 50m and almost scoring. Signify ran a game third under the equal topweight of 60kg after racing handy the inner and he was beaten just a length. Feelin The Love was a stupendous fourth at $40 (the outsider but one) after being fourth and four wide at the 800m then challenging for the lead three-wide across the top and turning for home third. The 8yo mare fought on gamely and was beaten just over a length. Johnny Jones ran on okay from back and wide while the outsider in the race Macy fresh up sat second the outer and challenged across the top before wilting a tad. Enzo's Lad fought on okay under equal topweight after racing fifth wide surrounded and Pippi Rea also tried hard from sixth the inner. King Pin got back and never recovered but was only beaten just over three and a half lengths. Tommy Tucker lost his place early and ended up second last turning for home and did nothing thereafter. Nowhere Man was outclassed and Vendima disappointed while the eventual leader Morse Code stopped the run home. This was a strong Listed field for the South Island as it contained two G1 winners albeit the pair have in total since capturing the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham in 2017 and 2018, recorded just three more wins between them.