Voodoo Lad seemed to appreciate returning to a firmer track, after running 15th of 16 on heavy going in the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1350m) on June 9, in winning here. He was ridden quietly and at the tail of the seven-horse field, behind a good pace. He switched widest of all on straightening and then sprinted smartly, hit the front on passing the 100m before going on to score comfortably. Inn Keeper was smartly away and went to the front. He was pressured a bit in the mid-stages, got a break at the 300m and then fought back gamely for second after running a bold race. Jukebox settled in sixth and second last place, improved nicely at the home turn, moved up well at the 200m and then fought on for a good third at his first run since pulling up lame in November.