The Sydney-trained four-year-old Rebel Dane was smartly away from his wide barrier (14) and Glen Boss eased him to settle midfield, three wide with cover. He travelled well, following a moderate early tempo (first 800m 48.91). He got a good cart-up following Linton from the 600m, fanned wide on straightening, challenged at the 200m and kept fighting on to score a last stride win by the narrowest of margins. Fontelina raced in third place on the rails after beginning well from his good barrier (4). He got a split passing the 300m, took a narrow lead at the 100m only to be grabbed in the last stride to finish second. Solzhenitsyn began well and enjoyed a good run in fifth place, one off the rails. He was blocked at the turn but Nash Rawiller steered him between runners to challenge strongly at the 100m. He then kept fighting on gamely for a close third, his second such placing in this event in successive years. Speediness was eased from his wide barrier (13) and settled just past midfield in about twelfth place. He was giving the leader about ten lengths nearing the home turn. Craig Williams switched him wide passing the 300m and he followed the winner from that point and was a late-closing half length fourth. It was a very good effort. Top weight (58kg) Linton began smartly but he was caught three wide. He remained handy, about sixth, but trapped wide most of the way before challenging strongly at the home turn. He then held on gamely for a close-up fifth, putting up an excellent first-up effort. Luckygray settled just past midfield, wide with cover but racing a little keenly due to the moderate early pace. He made a wide run nearing the home turn and continued to make ground for a good two lengths sixth. Ferlax also raced keenly, midfield between runners, and pulled hard in stages. He switched into the clear at the 250m and kept running on, in the sprint-home for a sound seventh, beaten just over two lengths. Temple Of Boom had a good trip about seventh on the rails to the turn and held on quite well to finish eighth, while December Draw was midfield to the turn and made ground for two and half lengths ninth, at only his second run from a lengthy spell. *ANZ