Fawkner began well and settled in an ideal position, third on the rails. He got a split on turning for home, hit the lead shortly after passing the 200m and then fought back gamely to score by a long head after enjoying a perfect trip. Criterion travelled well in eighth place on the rails, got between runners on turning for home, going to fourth at the 200m. He then continued to run on well for a very good second putting up a good trial for other features at the Melbourne spring carnival. Side Glance soon crossed to take the lead. He then set a reasonably good tempo (first 1400m 1:27.14), leading the field to the home turn before holding on a sound third at his first run since August. Sacred Falls went back to last from his outside barrier (12) and remained there to the home turn and caught the eye running on well for fourth beaten two and a half lengths looking right on track for the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m). Happy Trails was sixth before moving up three wide with cover at the 600m. He fanned deep on straightening and kept fighting on well in the sprint home for a sound fifth. Dissident seemed to travel well outside the leader to the turn but he weakened from the 300m to finish sixth and was later found to have bled and is automatically barred from racing for three months. Dear Demi was sixth on the rails and kept battling on in the straight to finish seventh, beaten four lengths.