Budrigeuz went straight to the lead as expected. Craig Williams slowed the pace (first 1000m taking a moderate 61.86sec) before increasing the tempo approaching the home turn (final 600m 34.51sec). Budrigeuz held a handy break at the 300m and stuck grimly to his task to dead-heat for first in an exciting finish. Early 2013 Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) favourite Puissance De Lune, having his first run since November, settled fifth on the rails but he was held up for a run, finally getting clear at the 200m. He then finished fast to dead-heat for first, appearing most unlucky not to have won clearly. Wall Street was third on the rails but was also blocked mid-stretch, finally getting clear in the closing stages for a good third, finishing a long neck from the dead-heaters. Callanish raced outside the leader (Budrigeuz) most of the way, only tiring after passing the 100m for a sound fourth. *ANZ