Variation continues to race in top form, now winning four of his six starts this preparation while taking his career record of seven wins and five placing from 13 starts. He settled in seventh place, one off the rails, behind a slow pace (first 1400m in 1:30.85) before improving (wide with cover). He challenged at the 200m, hit the front at the 100m and then went on to win quite impressively. Western Temple raced in eighth place, improved between runners nearing the home turn, got through to fourth at the 200m and kept running on well for a good second. Jackpot Prince settled back in ninth place before tracking up (wide with cover) from the 600m. He switched deep at the 300m and then ran on really well for third. The WA Derby (Gr 2, 2400m) winner Gatting settled in tenth place before making an early move, due to the steady pace, to be fourth (racing wide) at the 1000m. He continued to race deep, challenged at the home turn and then held on well for (1.3 lengths) fourth.