The Guy Walter-trained mare Skyerush scored a surprise first-up win. Blake Shinn took her straight to the lead then slowed the pace (first 800m 48.71sec), she came away from the rails on straightening but stuck gamely to her task holding on to win narrowly but well, sprinting her final 600m in a quick 33.58sec. Riva De Lago raced behind the leader Skyerush, got a run inside the mare on turning for home, and had every chance finishing a half neck second. Bagman resumed for new trainer John O’Shea and raced in second last to the 600m before making good ground along the rails for promising third. The top weight Mid Summer Music raced outside the leader to the turn and held on fairly well under 59kg for fourth. Raspberries (fifth) was trapped three wide without cover outside the leading pair, holding on quite well in the sprint home while the favourite Famous Seamus was trapped even wider out and also battled on fairly well for sixth also being unsuited by the pace of the race. *ANZ