Shamus Award, having his second start since taking out the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) in October, began smartly from barrier nine and soon crossed to the lead. He was then able to steady to pace (first 1000m 61.53) before pinching a break approaching the 300m. He then sprinted quickly and fought back gamely to score his second Group One victory by a length at the post. Criterion was back in eighth place to 600m. He got into the clear passing the 300m and made up good ground for a late-closing second, being disadvantaged a moderate early tempo. Thunder Fantasy was also disadvantaged by the pace and came from tenth at the turn for an eye-catching third. Eurozone ($4.50) raced outside the leader and eventual winner Shamus Award. He challenged that horse at the 200m and briefly looked dangerous but wilted over the closing stages for fourth beaten one and three quarter lengths. A post race veterinary examination found Eurozone to be mildly lame in the near fore. Teronado was near last to the 600m, fanned wide at the 300m and made good ground for fifth, putting up a smart performance. Surge Ahead was a handy third on the rails, after starting from the inside barrier and held on quite well for sixth with little running room late. Prince Harada was handy all the way and held on for seventh, while the favourite Hucklebuck ($3.75) was wide early and then eased to settle in tenth place, racing a bit keenly. He was shuffled back to near last at the turn, got into the clear at the 400m and ran on fairly well for eighth beaten just over two and a half lengths, without ever looking a winning prospect. A post race scope revealed mucus in his airways. *ANZ