Sweet Idea was quickly away and soon crossed to the lead. She travelled well in front, going along at a solid pace (first 600m 34.76). Tommy Berry steered her away from the rails on straightening, she was challenged strongly from the 200m but she dug deep, fighting on well to score by a long head in a smart first- up performance. Messene raced behind the leader, got an inside run to challenge at the 300m and kept fighting gamely for a close second. It was his first run since April and he should be improved by the run. The favourite, Rebel Dane, had a good trip in fourth place, one out and one back, following a good tempo. He moved up at the 300m, and kept making ground from that point to finish third, appearing to have had every chance. Boban missed the start and was a clear last in the early stages and was still last and about eight lengths from the leader at the 600m. He looked for an inside run on straightening, eventually needing to switch wide passing the 200m. He then came with a late run to finish (0.8 lengths) fourth in an eye-catching first-up performance. Weary was sixth, one off the rails, was under riding from the 600m and kept battling on quite well, making ground for a sound first-up (1.5 lengths) fifth. Kirramosa, who was having her first run since winning the VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) in November, was fifth on the rails, switched out at the 300m and battled on particularly well for (1.7 lengths) sixth. Hawkspur was seventh on the rails, stuck to the inside in the straight and fought on very well under riding for a most encouraging (2 lengths) seventh. Laser Hawk was second last to the turn and made some late ground for a sound (3.5 lengths) eighth at his first run since April. Thump raced outside the leader to the turn but disappointed in the straight to finish (4.2 lengths) last. *ANZ