In somewhat of a surprise result at odds of $17, the Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained eight-year-old Rock 'N' Gold recorded in ninth win and his second stakes success in 53 starts. He was smartly away from a wide barrier (11) and soon crossed when the pace steadied to take the lead. He then travelled well, grabbed a break shortly after turning for home and when on to score comfortably by two lengths. The favourite Manolo Blahniq was steadied from his good barrier (2) to settle in eighth place, on the rails. He improved along the inner nearing the home turn but was blocked in the straight until clear too late, then running on really well for an unlucky second. Chamois Road raced in third place on the rails, got into clear running at the 200m and then kept battling on under his top weight (60kg) for third.