Winner of the Newcastle Gold Cup two starts back, Hush Writer (by the same sire as 2019 Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace), outstayed his opponents here for win four (third stakes) at start 14. He took over the lead with a circuit to run and ambled along in front past the 1600m and on to the 1200m. From the 600m he quickened the pace, hugged the fence rounding into the straight and set sail for home. Kicked clear at the 300m he kept increasing the lead but was eased down near the line yet still two and a quarter lengths to the good. Carif was fifth, three wide at the 1000m, went forward three wide at the 600m and third at the 350m. He stayed on well yet no chance against the winner. In a dead-heat for third, Sir Charles Road dove through late to grab third on the line while Youngstar was blocked in the straight until the 50m before lunging to share third.