In an exciting finish the German-bred stayer Almandin scored a very game win. He was ridden patiently by Kerrin McEvoy from his wide barrier (17) and raced back in 16th place (with cover) in the 24-horse field before switching deep rounding the home turn. He moved up strongly to challenge at the 200m and then dug deep in a battle to the line to score a narrow but really good win in a very strong staying effort, his fifth win in only 12 starts to date. The French-bred, Irish-trained Heartbreak City settled in 14th place from his difficult barrier (23), improved well between runners rounding the home turn, his rider Joao Moreira skilfully angled a split shortly afterwards to take a narrow lead at the 300m. Then, after a fight to the post, he failed narrowly in an impressive staying effort for second. The favourite Hartnell had a good trip in ninth place, one off the rails, before improving well rounding the home turn. He moved up to challenge at the 300m and then fought well for third, looking slightly tested by the 3200m trip, albeit conceding weight to first and second. Qewy got across from barrier 15 to race in eighth place, one off the rails. He got through to fifth at the 200m and then kept fighting well for (6.8 lengths) fourth. Who Shot Thebarman settled at the tail of the 24-horse field from his wide barrier (20) before getting between runners at the home turn. He switched deep on straightening and commenced a solid finishing effort and then kept running on well to finish (6.9 lengths) fifth in a solid staying effort. Almoonqith raced in 18th place, after starting from barrier 19, went deep nearing the home turn and kept running on well for (7 lengths) sixth. Beautiful Romance settled near the tail of the field, got between runners on turning for home and kept making ground for (8 lengths) seventh. Of the others, the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Jameka had a good trip in tenth place, improved nicely at the home turn, briefly looking a threat and then seemed to struggle at the 3200m distance, fading to finish (14 lengths) 15th.