Iggi Pop raced in second place in the early part of the race before moving up outside the leader (Astro Avalanche) at the 1200m.

He put pressure to that runner and then went to the front coming to the 1000m. He then established a big lead of some eight lengths at the 600m and was never threatened from that point to win by three and a half lengths, in a strong staying performance.

The three-year-old Pop ‘N’ Scotch ($5 equal favourite) had a good trip back in seventh place on the rails, following a good tempo.

He was a distant fourth on turning for home and kept making ground, without looking likely to catch the winner, for a sound second.

Brayroan was near last in the 16-horse field in the early stages. Chris Munce made a move getting him to be a distant sixth at the 1000m and he kept plugging on from that point to finish third, beaten five lengths.

Military Move was a distant 13th in the mid- stages, got to a distant eighth at the 600m and kept plugging on to finish (5.4 lengths) fourth.

The other equal favourite Astro Avalanche set a good pace, leading the field to the 1200m but stopped suddenly shortly afterwards and dropped out to finish a distant last.