Sacred Falls settled back in fifth place on the rails from his inside barrier (1). He then travelled well behind a steady early pace (first 1000m 61.62). He moved away from the rails rounding the turn but was held up between runners until Zac Purton drove him through a gap at the 200m. He then burst to the lead at the 100m and went on to score his fourth Group One race in decisive fashion. Royal Descent enjoyed a good trip, third on the rails, to the turn. She got a split at the 200m, took a moment to wind-up, and then battled on soundly for second being out-sprinted by the winner. Laser Hawk went to the lead and set a moderate pace (first 1000m 61.62) and then fought back well in the straight, indicating a return to form with a sound third. Hawkspur was sixth one off the rails before Jim Cassidy elected to make a quick move (due to the slow pace) at the 600m. He moved up (wide out) at the turn and kept battling on well in the sprint home for a sound (2.5 lengths) fourth. The three year old old Panzer Division raced outside the leader to the turn and fought on in the straight for a most creditable (2.6 lengths) fifth at only his fourth race start against hardened weight-for-age performers. Lucia Valentina was last in the ten-horse field to the turn. She stuck to the rails on straightening, then switched deep at the 300m and made good ground in the sprint home for (2.7 lengths) sixth. It was quite a smart effort considering the circumstances of the race.