Winner of this race two years ago, Hopfgarten, with a winning burst of speed at the 250m, took his record to 13 wins (six stakes). He began fairly but soon drifted back through the field to settle fifth last with clear running. Jockey Jake Bayliss urged him forward at the 400m and he improved although wide into the straight. Bayliss gave him a couple of strides to balance, then asked the question at the 250m and he accelerated quickly to get on terms, co-led soon after then took over inside the 100m having a neck to spare at the post. Ulmann was handy near the rail turning in, got an inside split at the 200m to co-lead only to be headed by the winner but fought back well to nab second. Divine Unicorn was fifth and five wide turning in, seemed to lose interest at the 250m then grabbed the bit again at the 100m to run on into third. Coldstone stuck his head out late to grab fourth in a good line up.