The winner of this Premier Hawkes Bay Steeplechase (4800m) was the 12yo Yardarm that had last won a race in 2015, maiden Hurdle event, so it has been improved dramatically now in the stable of Kevin Myers. Yadarm raced handy the inner then went up second and led across the top before scoring by twenty-two lengths in 5:20.71 for his second ever win. The winners and where they came from on the home turn were second (one-off the inside and length from the leader), co-leader (one-off the fence), led (four-off the inside and a neck in front), sixth (six-off the inside and two lengths from the leader), led (four-off the fence and two lengths in front), led (twelve-off the inside and five lengths in front), led (thirteen-off the inside and eight lengths in front), second (six-off the inside and a neck back), fourth (seven-off the inside and two lengths from the leader) and seventh (six-off the inside and four-lengths from the leader). Yardarm had been beaten out of sight in four Steeplechase runs this time in for his new yard having last raced two years prior. The improvement was staggering when you also factor in he is a 12yo and to prove it was no fluke he would win his following start, also a Premier Steeplechase over 5500m, that was held here too at Hastings. Second home was the 11yo Shamal that raced last then went up second a lap out before being fourth at the 600m. He dug deep and moved into second turning for home but was very distant at the post. Since he has run three times for three placings and two of those have come in Premier Steeplechases. Third home was the 12yo gelding Mesmerize that raced fifth before improving the last lap and he was third at the final fence beaten twenty-seven and a half lengths. Fourth home and beaten almost thirty-eight lengths was the 11yo It's A Wonder after racing second the outer then weakening out across the top. The only other finisher Notabadrooster set the pace but once headed across the top stopped badly was beaten over fifty-four lengths. The other two runners Mr Enthusiastic and That's How It Goes failed to finish and dropped right out before being pulled up with both not jumping the final fence. Yadarm won his next start too, the Premier Wellington Steeplechase (5500m) that was held at Hastings owning to the Trentham track being a bottomless bog. He has now won three races, all as a Steeplechaser and two of them have come in Premier events.