The Japanese star Maurice took out his sixth Group One victory in a performance confirming his champion status. He was slow to move, settled well back in tenth place and was still a distant eighth nearing the home turn after chasing a hectic pace. He got through on the inner on straightening, hit the front at the 100m and drew away to score brilliantly, and in fast time (2:00.95) in a most impressive effort. Secret Weapon was well back in seventh place at the 600m, got to fifth at the 200m and kept running on well to take a good second, while Staphanos was back in third place (without cover), chasing a fast pace. He went to second at the 200m and battled particularly well for a very good third after a difficult trip. Of the others, A Shin Hikari went to the front and ran along at a strong pace. He had set up a huge lead at reaching the 600m and was only overtaken nearing the 100m before tiring late for (7.8 lengths) tenth after making a daring front-running bid.