Sonntag, having his first start since winning the Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) in June, put a good effort to win here with his 58.5kg top weight. He settled in eighth place, following a moderate tempo, before improving between runners nearing the home turn. He then put in a good run from the 200m and finished too well to take the lead nearing the post to score by a long neck. Lightenuff was wide in the early stages before settling outside the leader at the 1200m. He went to the front coming to the turn and was only overhauled nearing the post for a good (long neck) second. Red Inca settled at the tail of the field, looked for a run in the centre on straightening, eased into the clear at the 200m and then finished well for a close third. Pin Your Hopes was back in seventh place, looked for a run at the 200m, got through between runners at the 100m and ran on late for fourth while the favourite Sysmo was well back on the rails, was blocked on turning for home, switched to the rails at the 100m and finished nicely in limited racing room for an unlucky fifth, beaten only a length.