Escado was quickly away from his good barrier (1) before being eased to settle seventh on the rails. He stuck to the inside, got a nice run though nearing the home turn and went to second on straightening. He drew clear from the 200m and ran the distance out strongly to win by almost two lengths. Hioctdane was last in the 15-horse field to 600m. He also got a good run through along the rails, following the winner, getting to fourth at the 200m before plugging on well for second. The favourite Shoreham was about ninth one off the rails at the 800m. He moved up wide approaching the home turn and kept running on in the centre of the track to take third. Gerontius was about eighth one off the rails but was shuffled back nearing the turn. He switched to inside on straightening and kept plugging on for fourth. The second favourite Hvasstan was midfield before improving from the 800m to be handy third (three wide) at the 600. However he disappointed, in the straight, dropping out to finish fourteenth, beaten 13 lengths. *ANZ