The Mike Moroney-trained, Irish-bred stayer Vengeur Masque, whose only two previous wins were in France in 2015, scored a narrow but sound win here at his 12th Australian start. He settled nicely in second place behind the leader (Lizzie L’Amour) who was setting a good tempo. He got to the front at the home turn and then fought back, staging a solid staying effort, to score in a photo. The favourite Gallic Chieftain travelled well in seventh place (on the rails), got an inside run on straightening, challenged at the 100m and battled on well for (half head) second. Violate raced in sixth place, one off the rails, improved nicely (deep) at the home turn, challenged at the 200m and kept battling on quite well to take the minor placing.