Five To Midnight wins 2017 Skycity Hamilton Waikato Cup Group 3 NZ$100,000 at Te Rapa (NZ), 2400m.
In taking out his sixth career win Five To Midnight had the run of the race to outstay the field in a solid effort here. Under Leith Innes he went to the front early but ended up in a lovely trail past the post with a circuit to run where he remained until the 600m.
When those behind accelerated just prior to straightening he had to wait to pull out but once into the clear ran up, took over at the 200m then burst clear soon after, which was enough to stave off the fast finish of Promise To Reign, who was shuffled back to last at the 800m, kept to the fence turning in then had to go wide for a run and stormed home for second - a top run.
Zambezi Warrior may have been a little unlucky, being denied an inside challenge at the 200m but recovering to run into third.
Rock On took over the lead turning in and gamely held on for fourth.
