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Volkstok'n'barrell wins 2016 Bonecrusher New Zealand Stakes Group 1 NZ$200,000 at Ellerslie (NZ), 2000m.
Volkstok'n'barrell was able to settle fifth early from his nice draw (5) although one width off the fence as the field rounded the far bend into the back straight. Matimba ensured a good pace and strung the field out but Vinnie Colgan, aboard the favourite Volkstok'n'barrell, was content to lob along in the clear back in fifth. At the 1000m, Matimba had five lengths up his sleeve and was going freely and just before the last corner still had a three length advantage. Meanwhile, Colgan was pushing to get handier and into the straight had drawn almost level with the lead and inside the 200m held a narrow advantage. Colgan got work and the pair tried to break clear but on his inner, Girl Of My Dreams would not go away and these two battled right to the line, including a couple of bumps, but Volkstok'n'barrell just held on in a tight go. A protest by the connections of the second horse was dismissed.
Girl Of My Dreams was second down the back straight and had the job of carting the field up to the leader, which she did as they turned in. She lead at the 300m but was challenged by the winner and they settled down to fight out the finish and she fought hard right to the line.
Consensus was a distant third passing the 1000m and followed Girl Of My Dreams around the corner and into the straight where she pulled wider to challenge. Once balanced she ran on well and was perhaps unlucky when having to change ground inside the 100m when a gap between the first two closed, for a solid third.