Chris Waller-trained import Libran, having his fourth run in Australia, put up a strong staying effort in winning here. He travelled nicely back in fifth place on the rails, following a strong pace (first 1400m 1:24.99) before improving well between runners at the home turn. He took the lead at the 300m and then fought back gamely when challenged to score a narrow but good win. Allergic settled well back in seventh place on the rails, followed the eventual winner through rounding the home turn, challenged strongly at the 100m and battled gamely to just miss in a photo in a strong staying effort. Maurus raced in last place in the nine-horse field to the 800m, improved wide with cover on passing that point, fanned deep rounding the home turn and finished particularly well for third in a really good effort at his second run this preparation. French-bred stayer Auvray raced back in sixth place, one off the rails, improved deep at the home turn, briefly looked a threat at the 200m and then fought well for a promising (3.4 lengths) fourth at his first run since racing in France in October 2014.