Taking nothing away from the efforts of the horses and their connections but I'm a little dubious about the quality of this years race compared to recent renewals.
The winner was clearly the best stayer, aided by a superb ride, but he was just short of the best staying three-year-olds in Melbourne in the spring.
Civil Disobedience was never on the track but he was only beaten just over four lengths. There are always exceptions but one wouldn't expect Tasmanian Derby form to stack-up in the AJC Derby.
I've rarely missed a NZ Derby in thirty years and year in year out there's at least a couple of standout physical types in the yard. This year there were plenty of nice types, prepared immaculately, but nothing that jumped out at you. Certainly they were a more refined lot, probably a reflection of what we're breeding. Time will tell I guess.