Once again we saw two runners have a ding donger in this the second Listed event on the card being for 3yos but over 1340m. Track bias again played a role with the first two home ending up running in those positions with over half the race to complete. Highlad produced a massive performance to win after the Australian bred was back and wide before being sent up fast deep to move into second across the top and challenging for the lead turning for home. He had a home stretch duel with the other well backed runner in Manhattan Street before scoring by half a head in 1:23.24. Highlad has upside galore and is bred to run distance so it comes down to coping on harder tracks from this point onwards. Only a 3yo with scope could be asked so much of today at just his second outing and show that will to win and the support for him was like a tidal wave late to show his reputation is only growing. Manhattan Rain was unbeaten up until today and had every chance to be fair to remain so after taking the lead clearly at the 800m and his rider would have been thinking this is his to lose at this point. He is also an Australian bred and simply ran into a better rival. Hello M'Lady ran on rather well for as maiden to get third while Don Blanco was the fourth of an improver and has some scope. Technician was fifth and beaten five and a half lengths but the effort was okay as he got surged up wide across the top before wobbling a bit the run home. Quantum, the third favourite, was ordinary at first glance but noticed boring outwards the closing stages so it may be a directional thing at the moment with him, so maybe he will keep. Blue Twilight was running home very late and is another you could back out of the race next time seem in the right grade. This was not a deep field at all and while the winner looks special and the runner up has more success in store if the tracks stay rain-affected there were a lot of maidens that should win a race but not too much more. This race may be more wet track form worthy more than anything else in the end but the winner Highlad has that X-factor and will to win everytime he steps out onto a racetrack.