This Prestige Hurdle over 3200m saw a rising 12yo winner prevail that had raced eleven times on the track prior to today for no dividends paid. The Shackler had in eleven runs here (nine on the flat and two as a hurdler (both jumps runs were a distant sixth and eighth) had failed to win or place but today after racing in the lead or second scored by over a length. He was second up today and was winning his fourth hurdle race and overall recording his twelfth victory and clocked 3:38.11 for the two miles. Today was his second Prestige Hurdle win after leading all the way at Trentham over 3100m last July. The staggering course form reversal cannot be just dismissed by saying most of his flops came on the flat as 66% of his career wins have come on the flat, plus he had won just three hurdle races prior to today. He is a classic hit or miss type and now in four Prestige Hurdle outings has won twice and flopped twice. It's A Wonder would have won this but for hitting the second last fence hard and nearly dislodging the rider. The rising 8yo had raced fifth then fourth and moved up second across the top before taking the lead with 300m to go. Notabadrooster settled back then improved wide at the 600m to fourth before reaching third at the 200m. He had up until today raced twice over hurdle and was a maiden leaper with a very distant third and very distant sixth, so to place third in a Prestige Hurdle does highlight the field lacked serious depth. Yardstick ran on okay for fourth after settling back while the class act and clear topweight Sea King only got going late under 71kg after racing handy early then losing his spot and being seventh across the top. Danza Lad raced in the lead or second but once headed outright was fourth down the backstraight and fifth across the top. He never ran on thereafter while Hesalljazz weakened from third mostly (he did reach second down the backstraight). Letmeby never cleared the rear group even after taking the inside shortcut path and Raaj was outclassed dropping out detached a long way from home. This was not a very strong field at all and without Sea King, which had 4.5kg more than the winner and 6kg more than any other runner, the line up was very substandard. The footing was tricky wet and very biased as usual.