The Listed mile for fillies and mares was another debacle from the outset due to the starting stalls, which are new, being responsible for mass non-runners being determined after the race. Five runners after the race were declared non-runners with four due to tardy to open gates and the other the gate did not even open as the mare Eternity smashed into it a fraction before the jump. Two other runners had tardy gates too, so a total of seven in an initial field of thirteen had gate problems, but they finished second and third and under New Zealand rules are declared as runners because they paid a dividend and in this case gained blacktype. Eight runners officially finished this race and no matter what way you find out why one runner clattering her gate a fraction early and how it caused six other stalls to be tardy, the bottom line is a set of new stalls failed. Many races see 500kg plus thoroughbreds rocking and rolling in the gates and causing all sorts of barrier movement pre-start so this could be an on going thing if unable to be solved. Bettor confidence is at an all time low at the moment so new gates that cannot be trusted is a nightmare scenario indeed. Flavigny will not get full credit for her win that was a very sustained and strong surge due to the stall farce and ensuing post race chaos. It was her fourth win in seventeen starts and a first at blacktype level with likely more to come. Rohaise kept improving on the inner after a tardy to open gate to eventually end up trailing across the top and found some form again to finish runner up. It should be noted she led at the 200m and was a length and a half ahead of the third finisher Mae West at the line. Mae West also had a tardy to open gate but was soon handy wide and fought on okay all things considered. Irion was a clear leader and weakened the run home once headed at the 200m and may have gone too hard in front. Tie Me Down boxed on okay for fifth while Crackling Rosie needs some rain and Massofdash was disappointing so WFA may not suit at this stage. The winning time was a solid 1:34.77 so they ran along but the result is tainted beyond belief due to so many declared non-runners after the event. Over half the field had a tardy to open gate and one of them saw her stall not even open despite crunching into it and officially five of thirteen runners were declared non-runners afterwards. The odds on this happening in the only race that really mattered today, which was the blacktype event, is astounding but more so new gates purchased may now have a worrying flaw or weakness. It is like trying to figure out what pins and how many can fall when bowling a ball delivered down a lane as it hits on a particular angle or swinging inwards. The number of possibilities is vast and the combinations colossal plus you have just ten pins set up standing each time so what hope figuring out how these staring stalls react and when and where in different field sizes? Gate-gate has never gone away it seems in New Zealand thoroughbred racing and if this happens again at another venue with another set of these new stalls then not sure where you go next to address an already all time low bettor confidence.