Champion Japanese miler Maurice was brilliant in taking out his seventh successive victory, his fourth at Group One and at his first start since winning the Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at this track on 13 December. He began well and settled particularly well in fourth place, one out and one back, behind a reasonable tempo before improving nearing the home turn. He burst to the front at the 200m and then dashed clear to win easily in a most impressive performance. Contentment had a nice trip from his good barrier (2) racing in third place on the rails. He challenged coming to the 200m and then kept fighting gamely for a good second, although outclassed by the winner. Packing Pins settled well in fifth place on the rails from his inside barrier (1) but was held up between runners on straightening. He then got a split at the 200m and made good late ground to take the minor placing. Beauty Only was near last to the 600m, improved (with cover) coming to the home turn, fanned deep at the 300m and ran on well for fourth. Of the others, Bow Creek was eased from his wide barrier (11) and then crossed to the rails before improving to be just beyond midfield on the rails. But he disappointed once into the straight, weakening to finish last.