The French-bred import Gailo Chop was smartly away and he soon went through to lead. He then travelled along a quite a good tempo (first 1400m in 1:26.55), got a break on turning for home and then fought back gamely to win well, his second Group One success in 21 starts. The Aiden O’Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer settled back in seventh place, tracked up nicely (behind Hartnell) at the home turn, switched deeper at the 200m and impressed with his late-closing second in a very promising effort at his first Australian start. Jon Snow raced outside the leader and eventual winner (Gailo Chop), put pressure on that runner at the 600m and held on really well for third after working for most of the race in a solid staying effort. Single Gaze raced in third place on the rails and after having a nice trip, she battled on very well for (2.8 lengths) fourth. Inference raced back in ninth place (on the rails), was under riding at the home turn and kept battling on in the straight for (4.1 lengths) fifth, looking suited to further. The favourite Bonneval was back in last place in the 11-horse field, improved (between runners) at the 600m but then just kept battling on in the straight, without threatening, for (4.2 lengths) sixth while Hartnell was fifth to the 600m but raced well below his best in finishing (6 lengths) ninth.