Philippi travelled along comfortably in tenth place, one off the rails, conceding the leaders about eight lengths at the 600m. Luke Nolen urged him to improve on straightening and the colt put in a strong run, dashing clear at the 200m. The promising stayer then went on to an easy three lengths win, coming into calculations for next Saturday’s Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) at Randwick. Hippopus was third on the rails, got an inside run on turning for home and fought on quite well for second, while the outsider Sir Denzel showed improvement. He was seventh one off the rails, switched out on straightening and kept fighting on well for a good third. Laser Flash was trapped three wide without cover, racing close to the leaders, then held on well for a sound fourth. Gerontius made ground from the tail of the field for fifth, while the favourite Proverb ($2.60) was about ninth one off the rails, got cut out for a run at the 350m, but then just kept plugging on for seventh, beaten five and half lengths. *ANZ