The progressive Barry Baldwin-trained gelding The Candy Man is now the winner of seven of 11 starts, those all being in succession since taking out a midweek maiden (1600m) at Doomben in December, to record his first success at stakes level here. He settled in seventh place on the rails from his inside barrier (1) behind a solid pace. He went along the inner on straightening, got through to hit the front at the 100m and then fought back to score a good win, handling the step up to 2200m well. Haripour settled back in 14th place from his difficult barrier (17), tracked the eventual winner through on the rails at the home turn and finished well with a late bid for (short neck) second. New Zealand-trained mare Igraine went to the front and set a solid pace. She still held a clear advantage approaching the home turn and only wilted during the closing stages for third after staging a smart front-running effort. The favourite Luvaluva raced in ninth place (wide with cover), put in a run going to third at the 200m and then fought on well for (2.2 lengths) fourth after a wide trip.