The New Zealand-bred Count Da Vinci is now the winner six of his of seven starts since being trained in Tasmania. He began well and settled nicely in second place, tracking the leader (Gladstone). He took the lead on straightening and then headed toward the outside rail (looking for better going). He then fought back strongly before going on to score a really good win. The Darren Weir-trained gelding Big Duke settled back in eighth place, before improving (deep) from the 700m. He got to fourth at the home turn, also then went towards the outside rail and challenged at the 200m. But he found the winner too strong over the closing stages and kept battling on well for second. The outsider Gladstone went to the front, set a good tempo, went deep on turning for home and held on well for third after running a bold race.