Outback Joe scored a determined short head victory after sustaining a long wide run from the 900m to hold off Black Tycoon who tracked the winner into the race but just could not get by in the straight. The late maturing son of the champion mare Let’s Elope relished the distance today and was very game in scoring this narrow but good victory. Black Tycoon was given every chance by Damien Oliver and finished on gamely but just could not get by the winner. Base enjoyed a lovely run in the race sixth one out. He raced up to win the race at the top of the straight, but found the first two a little too good over the concluding stages. The favourite Big Memory led to half way when Rialya made a mid race move to take the lead. He regained the lead approaching the home turn but was soon a beaten horse knocking up badly to finish second last beaten over 16 lengths. The second favourite Cooldini raced on the quarters of the leader Big Memory before being shuffled back to fourth mid race. He was under hard pressure approaching the home turn and tired in the straight to finish tenth beaten just over 15 lengths. *ANZ