Happy Trails was eased from his wide barrier (12) and settled well back in the field. He was still back in 11th place at the 600m before tracking into the race (wide with cover). He put in a strong run from the 300m, challenged at the 100m and then fought gamely to score by the barest of margins in a gutsy performance. He’s Your Man raced midfield and wide with cover, improving well rounding the home turn. He challenged coming to the 100m, then got to a narrow lead and was headed in last few strides for a very good second. Farraaj went forward from his outside barrier (14) but ended up being caught three wide without cover outside the leaders. He moved up to take the lead shortly after turning for home and then fought on extremely well for a very close third in an impressive display at his first Australian start. Spillway came from near last at the turn, running on very well for a good (2.4 lengths) fourth while the favourite Criterion seemed to have every chance after being a handy sixth to the turn before finishing (3.7 lengths) fifth and Rising Romance also appeared to have her chance before battling on well for (3.8 lengths) sixth in another honest performance.