The winner of the G3 Open Handicap over 1600m was Super Strike by a nostril and he just got there after looking likely to be beaten into a very good second. The 4yo gelding has not missed the top three in his career and when he surged today from seventh the response was impressive and his will to win undeniable. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were ninth (seven-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), eighth (eight-off the inside and three lengths from the leader), ninth (on the fence and four lengths from the leader), led (on the fence and half a length in front), seventh (five-off the fence and three and a half lengths from the leader), led (three-off the fence and a head in front), fourth (five-off the inside and eleven lengths from the leader), fifth (six-off the fence and two lengths from the leader) and second (six-off the fence and a length from the leader). Super Strike was still seventh turning for home but wide out and still three and a half lengths from the leader but his surge was impressive and he reached second at the 100m before setting out after what looked an insurmountable lead. After being tardy then recovering slightly the inner he ended up scoring by a nose in sedate 1:36.92 at his first mile outing to record his fifth win in nine starts and today was his first at Blacktype so the G3 is the start of many Group successes it seems. Sacred Elixir back from Hong Kong and a long injury lay off almost won his first race back since a G2 at Moonee Valley in October of 2016. The now 7yo gelding at his third run back since such a long layoff surged for fifth and led at the 200m looking a surefire winner until caught on the line. Guillada ran a sound third after racing second and leading at the 400m then being headed at the 200m. Fourth home was Times Ticking that raced sixth and fought well the inner to be beaten less than a length and three quarters. Fifth home and running on very well was Sinarahma that was slow out and was a clear last early before being in the rear duo across the top. She was last and wide turning for home but ran on hard to be beaten two lengths but had given up too much of a lead turning for home. The visiting South Islander in Whale Song ran on okay from eighth on settling and was beaten less than two and a half lengths. Sixth home and fighting on well too was Motivation that was tardy and second last away but he found the line too. The last three home came in gaps with Bobby Dee beaten over six lengths and a disappointing fourth favourite that led early then raced second before being fourth the outer across the top before tiring. The Mitigator was the biggest failure running last and beaten over twenty lengths after leading up and then stopping fast once headed at the 400m. He was found to have suffered cardiac arrhythmia. Super Strike is a run on type and is still to miss the top three, which for a natural backrunner does show his will to win is intense. Sacred Elixir if he stays fit and well will cash in now back in the easier New Zealand fields while Sinarahma and Motivation are also winners in waiting. Whale Song the South Islander should clear up once back in his own Island as he was ridden by an apprentice today and is just a three-race winner tackling G3 for the first time today.