Horsham-trained nine-year-old gelding Magic Consol, resuming after winning the Winter Championship Final (Listed, 1600m) at Flemington on July 7, was a surprise first-up winner of this Group 2 race. He began well and settled in fourth place (one and one back), before improving nicely coming to the home turn. He got to the front on straightening and then dug deep to hold off late challengers and score a very good win in a photo. Lightly-raced but well-credentialed import Homesman, a first-up winner of the Mornington Cup Prelude (Listed, 2000m) at Caulfield in February, impressed resuming here. He raced in sixth place, one off the rails, improved deep (as the pace increased) coming to the home turn and kept running on really well for a close second in a most promising first-up run. The favourite Night's Watch raced in eighth place (one off the rails), commenced a wide move coming to the home turn as tempo picked-up and kept running on in good style for a close-up third. Multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell began quickly and settled outside the leader (Spanish Reef) at a reasonable tempo (first 1000m 61.73). He challenged that runner and went to the front coming to the home turn and then battled on for a close-up fourth.