The outcome of the big event was virtually decided at the barrier draw function where the starting positions were drawn out of the cup by the owners, trainers and drivers of the finalists. Vin Knight drew the "ace" for Popular Alm and Gammalite's connections pulled out the #2 marble. New Zealanders were left with the hope that perhaps the star Australian duo would cancel each other out by sparring as they had done in previous encounters with Popular Alm having won seven out of eight. But the Australian pacers used their barrier draws to good effect in finishing 1st and 2nd, but this time Gammalite got the better of his arch rival, the final 800 metres covered in 56.7 seconds. This was Gammalite's 66th win of his 122-start career (40 times 2nd or 3rd) for $940,448 in prize money.