The Mark Newnham-trained Quackerjack followed his very good second in the inaugural $1m The Gong (1600m) at Kembla on November 23 with a narrow but game win here, his seventh in 18 starts and his first at stakes level. He showed his customary pace from his wide barrier (10) and worked in the early stages before going to the front at the 1000m. Rachel King then steadied the pace, grabbed a break at the 300m and he then fought back determinedly to score by a nose in a really good performance. The topweight Invincible Gem was given a nice trip by Hugh Bowman racing in sixth place on the rails. She got through on the inner at the 200m, challenged at the 100m and battled strongly for a very close second. Sambro settled in seventh place, one off the rails, improved from the 300m and ran on well, late for a close-up third. Goodfella was handily placed in third spot on the rails, moved up coming to the home turn, challenged at the 200m and fought on well for (1.4 lengths) fourth, just in front of Mushaireb who led early on before racing in third place and then held on well for (2.2 lengths) fifth.