NZ Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Mongolian Khan settled nicely in third place on the rails from barrier one, following a very steady early pace. He went to fourth (between runners) at the 600m, got a split at the 250m, hit the front at the 100m and finished too well to win by almost a length, putting up a strong staying effort. Hauraki was second last in the early stages. James McDonald then saved ground along the rails, getting him to sixth (still on the rails) at the 600m. He got through to challenge strongly at the 200m and then fought gamely for a very good second. Volkstok’n’barrell was fifth on the rails, before improving along the rails from the 600m. He took the lead on turning for home and then battled well for a good third, beaten just under a length. Bikila was last to the 600m, he switched deep rounding the home turn and ran on well for a very good (1.9 lengths) fourth putting up a surprisingly good effort. The favourite Preferment, winner of the Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) winner, raced near the tail of the field. He was under pressure nearing the home turn but failed to run on and finished (7.6 lengths) eighth, being unsuited by a moderate early tempo but more likely affected by the Soft7 track.