Just The Tip was daringly ridden to hold on by the barest margin and record his seventh win in twenty-six starts today in the Listed Marton Cup feature over 2200m, He was a clear leader early and midrace before having a breather across the top then got his second wind the run home. The gelding clocked 2:15.34 and that is more than respectable and explains why the ping was drained out of all other runners. The 6yo gelding has paid a divided in half his starts and has the right racing pattern to keep paying his way plus he does make races run to test the real stamina of others. Mark Hills was riding for the third time today and recording a second win with the other victory coming three runs ago at Listed level in the Wanganui Cup, also with an all the way display. The entire dividend paying form for Just The Tip has come on good or dead ground so the footing today, once the track had dried out after a runner slipped badly in the opening event across the top, suited him admirably. The favourite Maygrove was beaten a nose into second but had every possible chance after racing third throughout then looming large into second early the run home. His usual ping was not there at the 200m nor the 100m but he was winding up the final stages to be beaten a nostril flare. The dash of this stayer was clearly taken out of him by the winner setting up such a strong clip. King Kamada is a winner in waiting after closing hard late for third. He got too far back on settling and turned for home midfield down the outer but like the runner up he did not ping though really found his stride late. Dragon Beauty fought on after getting a soft run for most of the race while her stablemate Anniestar ran on from the rear trio late and needs wetter footing. Nothing Trivial boxed on the run home while Dubai Belle after being the one that towed the field up to pursue the winning leader weakened the run home and really stopped the final stages. Blood Brotha kept coming the outer after being back and wide so he may still have something to offer even though a 9yo. Ransomed was poor and may have been ridden too handy while The Fire Inside did not look like she had mentally recovered from clipping a heel and losing her rider at Ellerslie prior. No excuses as the winner did all the work and held on albeit by a lip but did set a solid tempo and that is what won the race in reality. He took the closing speed out of the legs of Maygrove and to a lesser extent King Kamada. There is reward for taking the risk of setting a true tempo as it unmasks any false stayers in opposition and eliminates the chance of being outsprinted.