Sir John Hawkwood scored a smart first-up win. He had a good trip in third place on the rails, behind a steady tempo (first 1400m 1:29.34). He got along the inner rounding the home turn, took a split nearing the 100m and finished well in the sprint home to score a narrow but good win. Messene went to the front, slowed the pace and lifted the tempo from the 600m and he held a good break on passing the 200m, only being overhauled nearing the post. Who Shot Thebarman raced outside the leader (Messene), put pressure on that runner from the 600m and then battled in the sprint home in the straight for a sound third, the lack of a genuine tempo not suiting this resolute stayer.