What did we learn from Southwell's first meeting on Tapeta?

There was reportedly a strong headwind as Southwell entered the Tapeta era on Tuesday and the new surface was described as slow.

That combination meant that, despite the change of surface, it was a case of different sand, same old slow-motion finishes.

The riders rode the first race like it was a Fibresand contest. Four or five horses made a beeline for the lead and, bar the hot favourite Toromona who dropped out as though something was amiss, they all stayed there, with the runners strung out from front to back.