The G3 NZ Cup (3200m) is now on a par with the Wellington Cup as two-mile events held at this level under handicap conditions. The field this year was nothing special at all and in fact had a massive number of dubious stayers, out of form runners and many lacking in class. Pump Up The Volume remained unbeaten at 3200m with a narrow win under 57.5kg and came from the back to score by half a head in 3:23.43. The 8yo relished the badly cutting up track to record his eighth win in fifty-eight starts and now has won at G3 twice and Listed level once. Perfect Start almost caused a boilover at $56 a win when sitting back then coming through to second at the 200m and leading at the 100m. The 7yo mare had last won a race in January of 2015. Imperium ran well as just a three-win galloper for third after sitting back then improving across the top before turning for home second and then leading at the 200m. Gentil Tontan was running on well late down the outer for fourth after settling back and wide. Nymph Monte the odds on favourite was handy wide early but then let get a long way back strangely when keen and more so as it absolutely bolted in here the first day from sitting fourth the outer. He kept coming forward wide and ran a respectable fifth but to be honest never ever at any stage looked a win chance. Delacroix was okay as was Kaharau and the latter had a health issue post race. The runners then started coming in at dribs and drabs with eighth home beaten eighth lengths and the last finisher across the line was over fifty lengths behind. Sureasyouwereborn was pulled up and suffered cardiac arrhythmia post race. A dubious contest for depth and the footing made it even worse for those lacking in class and stamina of which there were many and the margins of defeat both showed and proved it.