Riva De Lago settled near last in the ten-horse field. He improved between runners at the 800m and got a nice split rounding the home turn. He moved up strongly at the 300m, dashed clear passing the 200m and then went away for a comfortable two and half length win, scoring in impressive style. Solzhenitsyn raced in second place to the turn. He challenged at the 200m and then kept fighting on for a sound first-up second. The lightly raced Your Honour was second last to the turn and made up good ground in the straight for a good third at his first start in Sydney. It was a big rise in class and he acquitted himself very well. Taxmeifyoucan was third on the rails to the turn. He continued to fight on in the straight to hold fourth, putting up a nice first-up run. Centennial Park was handy all the way and held on for fifth. The favourite Rain Affair led as expected but disappointed from the 200m point, tiring for sixth beaten just under five lengths. *ANZ