The Charlie Appleby-trained, Godolphin-raced stayer Polarisation put up a solid staying performance in taking out this Group One race at his first Australian start, albeit after crossing the line in front in the subsequently declared ‘no race’ of this event a fortnight ago. Corey Brown settled him, well back in fifth place, before improving nicely from the 700m. He got to the front on turning for home and then dug deep when challenged for a good win. The top weight (57kg) Who Shot Thebarman raced back in seventh place, improved well (deep) coming to the 600m and challenged strongly rounding the home turn. He then fought very gamely for a very good second, putting up an impressive effort after conceding 5.5kg to the winner. The favourite Big Duke was a distant 12th to the 800m before improving in a packing field at the 600m. He switched deep at the 300m, put in a good run, going to third at the 200m. He then kept battling on strongly for a close up third in a solid staying effort while the three-year-old filly Lasqueti Spirit went to the front as expected, set up a big lead in the mid-stages but dropped out from the 600m to finish 12th.