The consistent John Thompson-trained mare Sweet Deal is now the winner of three of her last four starts and she did well in scoring here, her first stakes success and her seventh win in 28 starts. She had a good trip under Nash Rawiller in second place before moving up from the 600m. She got to the front at the 200m and then fought back gamely when challenged to win well. Notation was handily placed just behind the leaders before improving rounding the home turn. She challenged at the 200m and then battled on well for second, beaten a half-length. Connemara raced in about sixth place, but caught deep. She improved nicely on turning for home and then kept fighting well for third. The favourite Pohutukawa settled well back from a wide barrier and was deep rounding the home turn. She moved up nicely at the 200m and then kept fighting on well for (1.7 lengths) fourth in a sound first-up effort.