After placings in four of his last five starts, Gatting scored his fourth win and his first at stakes level here. He settled back in last place from his outside barrier (11), improved (deep) at the 700m and was widest of all rounding the home turn. He challenged in the centre of the track at the 200m and finished gamely to score a smart win in a photo finish. The favourite Final Salute settled in seventh place, one off the rails, before moving up nicely at the home turn. He got to a narrow lead nearing the 100m and then battled strongly for a close second.