This G1 at WFA over 2000m for all comers was run at a solid clip throughout and saw a nose between the first two at the line plus a protest to add more theatre to the event. Volkstok’n’barrell had a dream run fifth the outer and when urged closer turning in strode up likely to win by daylight at the 200m. He did not ping at all and then was part of a sandwich on the eventual third finisher then under a hard whip ride continued to run inwards towards the runner up Girl Of My Dreams. Under a desperate ride he scored by a nose in 2:01.83 then had to endure a protest by the runner up. Surprisingly the worst affected runner by miles was the third finisher Consensus and no protest was forthcoming against the runner up or the winner. The margin from third to the first pair at the line was a length and three quarters so that alone would have flashed the futile light. Volkstok’n’barrell was winning his eighth race today from eighteen starts and his second at G1, which have both come in New Zealand and this campaign as a 4yo. He has the measure at the highest level of any galloper in New Zealand at a mile to 2000m but only if Mongolian Khan and Turn Me Loose are not here. The two alarming things about the win today was a solid clip almost found him out as he was ridden very hard with the whip to prevail and then factor in he ran inwards towards the persuader. Girl Of My Dreams was game in defeat but did drift out and cause the sandwich at the 150m and then did come together with the winner (running inwards) at the 100m. She was a distant second throughout and then lodged a bid for glory at the 400m. Consensus was a brave third after settling down in that spot the whole way and was coming between the first two home at the 200m only to become the meat in the sandwich. She then had to be checked at the 100m when the winner came over ahead so had a rocky run home. Stolen Dance was a disappointing fourth beaten almost five lengths after sitting sixth or seventh then moving up near the home turn stalking the eventual winner almost. She had no ping and the fact this 2000m race was the fastest she has run in by a substantial margin likely found her out. It does put an asterisk around her G1 form along with Kawi this season as Volkstok’n’barrell cleaned up the mare deluxe today and she has got awfully close to him more than once. The Auld Floozie was okay for fifth and Savaria warmed up a tad late but the rest were beaten by both the race pace and overall time. Authentic Paddy has been leading or racing close in his races this season but once settled buried back on the inner today by his rider had no hope whatsoever. He led up here on Boxing Day and was a close third at G1 under WFA when beaten by Kawi and Stolen Dance but the time clocked was 2:04.30 (fifteen lengths inferior time too today). This field was not a G1 line up by any stretch of the imagination and the best horse in the field won albeit by a nostril flare. No surprise that the mares filled spots second to sixth. Volkstok’n’barrell may race next in the G1 Doncaster (1600m) in Sydney where he has a luxury lightweight and he really is best at the trip. However he was not able to win let alone place last Spring in Melbourne over five runs so as a 4yo is yet to pay a dividend in Australia. He has won his last two runs in New Zealand at G1 but neither event was anywhere near that standard so needs to find more lengths and ping to measure up in Australia. A lightweight or a non-draining race pace are two factors that can help but will they be enough in Australia as a 4yo? He has had eight runs this season as a 4yo and been ridden by six different jockeys so the horse has not had any continuity. Whether this race should retain a G1 rating is very dubious indeed like many races at this level in New Zealand as the depth is not here or does not race here often enough and who can blame connections from chasing the bigger stakes and greater prestige in Australia.