Favourite Material Man is in outstanding form adding stakes win seven to his now career win total of 14, his last four (all stakes) in succession. He went up four wide from the barrier then with a circuit to run jockey Lucy Warwick allowed him to drift a little to settle fifth, one out starting down the river side where they remained to the 1000m. A slowish pace saw Warwick shoot the gelding forward to challenge the leaders three wide past the 600m soon after forming a line of three turning in. Into the straight there was little between the first three, but Material Man took over narrowly at the 200m, edged slightly further ahead at the 100m then clung on gamely to the finish. Pounamu was second last at the 1000m, was widest and third last on straightening then ran home strongly but could not quite catch the winner. Gatting led, trailed and was one of the leading trio at the 300m and never gave up for a hard fought third. The third of the leading trio, Falcon Crest, also fought hard to dead-heat with the fast finishing At The Ready.