Only seven runners went to the post for this Listed 2500m Open Handicap and six of them were North Island trained, so where are all the stayers with the G3 NZ Cup (3200m) next week? It is the smallest field for this race in living memory and almost all of them are not Open Class to make matters worse. Aspen Lass on the minimum of 53kg came from last on her own to bury them and win by almost two lengths to clock 2:39.12 and win her fifth race from sixteen starts. Imperium carrying 53kg too trailed the leaders and shot to the front 350m out only to be outfinished the final 50m while his stablemate Grazia (55.5kg) sat sixth then came through to second at the 250m before wilting to end up third some two and a half lengths from the runner up. Bee Tee Junior kept coming from fifth under 58.5kg and should like the extra 700m next week plus drops 3kg. Sampson found the topweight of 60kg the test but he was boxing on and is better situated next week down 3kg. Sacred Desire sat outside the leader Locally Sauced and both stopped badly the run home. This was quite likely the worst and weakest running of this event ever and had no depth and was a very dubious Listed field overall. Aspen Lass is not even going for the G3 NZ Cup here next week and blew this lot away the final stages. It seems doubtful the Cup winner next week was in this field but the lack of stayers in New Zealand at the moment is staggering with old horses going around each year and jumpers even having a crack so anything is possible these days.