Racing: Leaders' day at Pukekohe

Photo / File

There is just one thing you can do with the form from Pukekohe on Saturday - forget it. Totally.

In an almost bizarre set of circumstances, the racing pattern was so rigid EVERY one of the eight winners came from the leader at the 375m.

All but the winner of the last race, outsider Iz, were also hard up against the outside running rail.

It was virtually impossible to make ground on the leader in the home straight from anywhere in the field.

The two exceptions were Swiper The Fox, second in Race 6, and Rocket Queen, third in Race 7. Both made significant late ground.

There will be a huge number of beaten runners on the day that will figure more prominently next time at the races.

Even allowing for the fierce pattern, it is difficult not to admire John Gray in winning the feature, the $25,000 Collett Racing Stables 1400.

A 10-year-old carrying 59kg clear topweight and dealing to the opposition is impressive.

Trudy Thornton moved John Gray forward approaching the home bend to be in exactly the right spot turning in, in front and the widest.