New Zealand-trained stayer Sir Charles Road came into calculations for next Saturday's Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) with a solid staying performance in winning here at his first Australian start. After racing back in tenth place, Blake Shinn got him along the inner to be fifth (on the rails) in the mid-stages before switching into clear running on turning for home. He took the lead at the 300m and then battled back strongly to score well. Ventura Storm was handy most of the way, racing in sixth place (one off the rails) before making a wide move coming to the home turn. He challenged at the 200m and then battled gamely for (half-neck) second under his 59kg top weight. John O'Shea-trained stayer Peribsen settled well back in the field, improved between runners rounding the home turn, went to fourth at the 200m and kept running on well to take the minor placing in a sound effort.