Three-year-old colt Shamus Award was smartly away from his good barrier (3) and went to the lead. He travelled along nicely in front, setting a good tempo. He was challenged from the 600m point and responded to Chad Schofield’s urgings nearing the turn and grabbed a good break on straightening. He then fought back gamely with his light weight (49.5kg) to hold on to win narrowly but impressively - his first win after seven placings in ten starts. Happy Trails travelled well in eighth place on the rails before getting a split approaching the home turn. He went to fourth at on straightening and ran on nicely for a late-closing second. Fiorente began well from his outside barrier (14) and eased to be midfield early, but he was caught three wide, so Blake Shinn took him forward. After working he eventually crossed to race outside the leader (Shamus Award) at the 1000m point. He challenged strongly nearing the turn, momentarily lost ground on straightening and then kept fighting on for a game third, putting up a sound trial for the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m). Foreteller settled just past midfield on the rails and remained there to the 600m. He got a good run through to sixth rounding the home turn and continued to run on well for a sound one and a quarter lengths fourth. Super Cool was handy all the way and held on for fifth while Side Glance (sixth) had a good trip third on the rails. Seville was just past midfield (three wide with cover). He make a strong run wide-out approaching the home turn before battling on for five and a half lengths seventh. It’s A Dundeel ($4 fav) was caught wide from his barrier (12) midfield three deep most of the way. He put in a run nearing the home turn but only struggled from that point, running below his best to finish five and a half lengths eighth. Long John was a handy fifth most of the way before weakening for ninth. Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon was always well back, made a wide run from the 600m but disappointed finishing ninth as well while Puissance De Lune was about sixth to the 600m, went wide from there but dropped out shortly afterwards to finish a most disappointing twelfth. *ANZ