The favourite The United States, who was having his second run this preparation, scored a good win here. He was slow to move and settled in last place in the six-horse field. Kerrin McEvoy angled him away from the rails at the 600m and he moved up well (deep) coming to the home turn. He got to the front, in the centre of the track, at the 100m and then went on to record a strong win. In an announced change of tactics, Lidari went forward and soon crossed to the lead. He then steadied the tempo, lifted the pace from the 600m and then battled back gamely for second after running a bold race. Ulmann had a nice trip in third place on the rails from his inside barrier (1) and fought on well to take the minor placing while Federal travelled outside the leader, challenged nearing the home turn but just battled once into the straight to finish (3.6 lengths) fourth.