Sabatini began nicely and settled in an ideal spot, fourth on the rails. She was travelling well, was blocked in the straight but got a split at the 150m and finished too well to win, drawing clear by three quarters of a length. It was a smart first-up effort from a quality filly. The favourite Royal Snitzel shared the lead (on the rails), got a break at the 200m and then battled on for second, going quite well at only her second run since August. Fontein Ruby showed good pace but remained wide on the track, sharing the lead to the home turn. She then kept fighting back for a good first-up third. Afleet Esprit was fifth, one off the rails, moved up wide nearing the home turn and then battled on for a sound (3.7 lengths) fourth. Boundary made ground from last in the seven-horse field, without threatening, to finish fifth while the second favourite Thinking Of You was fourth to the 600m, put in a brief (wide) bid at the home turn but then just battled on for sixth. Lucky Raquie was near the tail of the field all the way and finished (6.1 lengths) last.