: In a race where the back markers found it hard to make ground, Sheer Talent proved slightly the better of Force Command and Hosting. In the run Sheer Talent raced in fourth position, one out one back on the back of Force Command, who was forced to work hard early to get across from his middle to high draw. Sheer Talent peeled of Force Commands back and took a few strides to wind up. He responded well to Stephen Baster’s urgings and gradually wore down Force Command who appeared to be travelling much the better at the top of the straight. Force Command was sound in defeat, he worked early to get across and raced outside the leader Pins Of Pele, he travelled up strongly taking the front inside the 400m and just tired a little late on. Hosting trailed the winner into the race peeling off his back four and five wide at the top of the straight. He finished on well late on to just miss second. Philippi raced behind the leader and had every chance in the straight, finishing on gamely for fourth without ever threatening the first three. High Esteem was another to have every chance in the run, he battled on gamely and was not beaten far. He will be improved by the run and more distance, a promising run by this well-bred colt. Bass Strait and Albrecht both finished on well from well back in the field and wide into the straight to make good late ground against the slow early pace, both runs were better than they appeared. *ANZ