The lone filly in the field, Fontein Ruby, settled in sixth place, one off the rails, following a very steady early pace (first 800m 51.56). Mark Zahra rode her patiently and they remained there to the 600m where she was giving the leader about five lengths. She moved up wide from the 300m, took a little while to wind-up in the sprint home but rallied strongly from the 100m to score by a length, putting up a smart performance. The favourite, Coram ($3.50) settled back in eighth place, one off the rails. He fanned wide at the 400m and showed a good turn of foot to challenge at the 200m and then fought on for a sound second, being out-fought by the filly Fontein Ruby in the closing stages. Beluga Caviar was smartly away and enjoyed a good trip outside the leader (San Nicasio), travelling at a moderate tempo. He took a narrow lead at the 200m and then battled on quite well for third. It was only his second start and he should continue to improve. Raposo went back from his outside barrier (8) and remained in last place to the home turn. He moved through along the rails from the 600m but had difficulty finding clear racing room from that point and battled on nicely for (1.7 lengths) fourth. With nothing having gone right today, he is worth watching. San Nicasio led the field to the 300m and held on fairly well for (1.9 lengths) fifth. *ANZ