The G1 mile under set weights and penalties was not a totally fearsome run race but the 1:34.11 clocked resulted in a run on finish with three of the first four doing so. The winner was up until this point the under-achieving Puccini this season that had contested three G1 races this season and finished second equal, seventh and eighth. Today he got the job done and by being tightened at the start and last early it may have helped the 4yo that can get fired up in his races. Today was his first G1 win against the older horses and he won by a lip over a stout closing mare in Soriano. Puccini loves Trentham and now has two wins (G1 and G3) and a second equal (G1) here plus a fourth (G1) and a miss on debut when not fully mature. It was his eighth win from twenty-four starts and showed a mile is his best trip although the father and son trainers of Peter and Jakob McKay are adamant he is a middle distance type and will be trying again. His rider Danielle Johnson saved ground the inside across the top and turning for home then worked off and strode though to lead at the 100m but veering outwards did not help his cause. Soriano came from the rear trio and looked like she would beat Puccini inside the final 100m but missed a whisker. The mare has not finished out of the top three in her last seven starts and all have come at either G1, G2, G3 or Listed level. Mighty Solomon has come a long way this season and the 4yo showed he will not be out of place at this level in New Zealand with a sound third. He was not well situated either at 55kg under the conditions of this race too it should be noted. Slice Of Class was big for fourth paying over $50 as she was wide across the top and had come into this after being ninth of ten in an Open Handicap that was won by Mighty Solomon. Her effort (three win mare) and that of Genius (four win mare) in finishing fifth with such inexperience and legitimate doubt at this level does temper the result, as it should if you look at it realistically. Kisses was another mare that went big after being back and wide throughout and the leader Diademe (another mare) led and got pestered by Pure Champion before wilting late. Diademe was fourth at the 100m then several swamped her. Ringo can be backed with confidence next time as never ever really situated in the right spot to be a force at any stage. Emerald Queen was not too bad late and she is one of the better South Island gallopers. Nashville was ridden too handy and the same can be said for Miss Pelear that ran last as she especially has only shown form as a closer. Benzini caught the eye late and can win a normal handicap race at stakes level. Abidewithme once again was never ever a possibility while the favourite Pondarosa Miss was a poor second last. The mare never hit out at the back and so something is clearly amiss as she is far better than that. Sure to be some winners out of this for the rest of the season and into next spring or summer at least as set weights and penalties is not the cup of tea for every thoroughbred. Puccini has yet to show he can cut it in Australia with legitimate doubt on his formline worth at the top level outside New Zealand so Team McKay will surely want to have one more throw at the stumps.