Scott Base wins 2018 Phill Cataldo Wellington Gneas Group 2 NZ$100,000 at Trentham (NZ), 1400m.

A thrilling finish here with a nose, a neck, another neck and a half head separating the first five home but Scott Base had the last say, thrusting between runners very late to grab the win. He was back of midfield at the 800m, took off wide at the 600m and was wide into the straight.

At the 350m he looked beaten yet at the 200m began to rally but inside the 100m rider Vinnie Colgan drove him through in tight quarters and then threw everything at him late to grab the lead right on the line for win four and $645,750.

From well back at the 600m Paulownia accelerated quickly once into the straight and mounted a prolonged run, looked the winner two strides off the post only to lose in the last stride.

The Great Southern was handy enough into the straight, tried to get on terms with the leaders then grabbed the bit late to flash though down on the inner for a close third.

Czechoslavakia had every chance at the 200m, seemed beaten but came back near the line to be close up in fourth from Swisswatch who led at the 100m but was swamped late for a close fifth.