Alma’s Fury settled in a nice spot from his good barrier (4), being fourth on the rails and also suited by a good tempo. He got a split between runners on straightening, hit the lead at the 150m and then just lasted to score in a photo finish after a perfect trip. The favourite Masthead put up an excellent performance. He settled back in the field from his wide barrier (12). He travelled well, midfield and three wide with cover, before fanning very deep coming to the home turn. He then put in a quick run in the straight, challenged strongly at the 50m and failed by the narrowest of margins for an unlucky second. Playitstraight also raced wide from a difficult barrier (11). He was about seventh, three deep with cover, before putting in a run from the 200m and then kept running on to take third, beaten two and quarter lengths. *ANZ