After placings in three of his four runs this preparation, the locally trained gelding Great Shot scored a surprise $31 win, his first Group success in 24 starts. He was smartly away, went to the front and then set a good tempo (first 1000m 60.15) with last year’s winner (Scales Of Justice) at his girth. He was challenged by a number of runners on turning for home but he kept fighting back gamely under 53.5kg to win well. The top weight (59kg) Black Heart Bart raced in eighth place, moved up (deep) from the 600m, challenged at the home turn and fought well for a close second in a strong effort, conceding 5.5kg to the winner. Favourite Tom Melbourne had a good trip from his inside barrier (1), racing in third place on the rails. He got along the inner and briefly looked the winner at the 200m but finished a close-up third after seeming to have had every chance, recording his sixth placing in seven starts this preparation. Variation settled in seventh place, between runners, from his good barrier (3). He got into clear running at the 200m and then ran on well for (0.8 lengths) fourth. Material Man was a handy fourth to the home turn, challenged at the 200m and did well in batting on gamely for fifth, beaten just under a length. Pounamu ran on well from back in the field for (1.8 lengths) sixth while Scales Of Justice disappointed in finishing (4.5 lengths) 12th after weakening from the home turn.