After winning 11 times in Western Australia (including six consecutively), First Among Equals brought his form to Melbourne for stakes win five with a clear-cut win here. Jockey Michael Dee eased the gelding back to equal last early and in a packed field was still among the last few at the crossing. With 300m remaining Dee found a split near the outside and accelerating quickly drove him through to co lead at the 200m. Inside the 100m he surged a length clear and that was enough to hold on fairly comfortably at the line. Divine Quality was midfield and nearest the outside rail passing the 400m, sprinted to be almost alongside the lead at the 200m but could not make any impression after that. Knowable tracked Divine Quality to the 200m and was travelling fastest at the line for a good third from Rich Charm who lunged into fourth in the last stride.