Promising three-year-old Variation took his consistent record to three wins and four placings in taking out his first Group win here. He settled back in seventh place, one off the rails, behind a solid pace (first 1000m 59.39). He improved nicely nearing the home turn, got a split at the 300m, hit the front at the 100m and went on to win well. The favourite Ellicazoom led briefly in the early stages before easing to settle in fifth place. She was taken deep and into clear running coming to the home turn, challenged strongly at the 100m and then battled very well for a good second. Ragazzo D’oro raced in ninth place, improved (wide with cover) from the 600m, put in a good run on passing the 200m and battled on well to just hold the minor placing. Final Salute was last in the 16-horse field to the home turn before coming with a strong, late finish for (2.5 lengths) fourth. The second favourite Whispering Brook came across in the early stages from her wide barrier (10), settled in fourth place (one off the rails), challenged at the 200m but then just battled on to finish (4 lengths) sixth after a difficult trip, working on a solid pace in the early stages.