Linton was eased from his wide barrier (16) and raced in third last place in the 18-horse field to the 600m. He went to the rails on turning for home, where he was giving the leader about ten lengths. He kept getting through along the rails and came with a powerful late bid to win going away by three quarters length. Buffering began quickly and led. He set a reasonably good pace (first 800m 47.71) and dashed clear at the 400m. He was still clear at the 100m but then commenced to tire, lasting gamely under his top weight (58kg) for second. Streama raced midfield one off the rails before improving wide with cover from the 600m. She was still giving the leader about seven lengths at the 300m and kept finishing well for a very good third. Spirit Of Boom was a handy fourth on the rails to the turn and battled on well to hold that position at the post, while Solzhenitsyn raced just past midfield (wide with cover) to the 600m. He kept running on well in the straight for a good fifth. Hot Snitzel ran a bold race being second most of the way to the 100m and only tired from that point for sixth. Sizzling was well back on the rails to the 600m. He had trouble getting clear until passing the 200m and he then ran on well for seventh, beaten two and half lengths. Epaulette ($6.50) went back from his difficult barrier (17) and was second last to the 600m before going extremely wide at the turn. He made ground late for tenth, beaten just under four lengths, having little chance under the circumstances while Your Song ($5 favourite) showed good pace to sit a handy third until half way down the straight, but he disappointed in the closing stages to finish fourteenth, beaten just over five and a quarter lengths. *ANZ