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Signify wins 2017 J R & N Berkett Telegraph Group 1 NZ$250,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1200m.
South Island raider, Signify, settled midfield after jumping fairly from barrier ten, five or sixth widths from the rail. Approaching the crossing, rider Racha Cuneen was content to remain wide yet handy enough and once the packed field straightened for the run home they were equal widest but giving the leaders four or five lengths. With 400m to run they were widest and making ground on the lead. At the 200m they still had three lengths to make up but travelling better than anything else, ranged up to a rallying Start Wondering then lunged in the last stride to nab the win on the line by a nose.
Start Wondering sat just in front of the winner to the crossing and into the home straight was up outside the pace in a perfect position to challenge. He surged to take over the running at the 300m (middle of the track) and looked the winner both inside the 200m and 100m. His strong run continued to the line but was nabbed in a bobbing head finish in the last stride.
Favourite Perfect Fit from midfield (rails), was presented with a huge gap at the 400m and ran well to the 100m and then grabbed the bit again yet a little late, doing her best work at the line a half length from the first two.
Reilly Lincoln tried to stay with Start Wondering from the 300m but faded slightly to dead-heat for fourth with Lady Zafira, who flashed home late, wide out.