SA-trained mare Avoid Lightning began well but Craig Williams eased her and they settled fifth with cover in the small field of six. Williams asked her to improve rounding the home turn and she wound up from the 100m to grab a good win on the line. Canali raced behind the leader (First Command) and got into the clear at the 200m to challenge strongly shortly afterwards. He kept fighting for a good second after having every chance. Top weight First Command was smartly away and set the pace until half way down the straight. He battled gamely under his 60.5kg for a good third. Eight Bills was an unlucky fourth, after racing fifth on the rails, he failed to get a fully clear run at any stage in the straight. Light Express finished a close-up fifth while Cardinal Virtue, who was last of the six runners, finished only1.1 lengths from the winner. *ANZ