A small field of 6 lined up in the 3yo Hcp but a very promising group where the Choisir gelding Kushadasi fought on stronger closer to the rail to win from Flask with Our Paradigm third.  Kushadasi is trained by R Jolly and was ridden by P Gatt.  In the second race St Fraser returned from a spell in great fashion and came with a strong burst to run down the in form Impulse Buy with Highness finishing hard down the outside for third.  St Fraser is trained by K Matson & ridden by K Bishop and took his record to 59 starts for 7 wins and 17 placings

The feature race of the day was the Grand National Steeplechase which attracted a strong field including Zaman who had been third last week in the Grand National Hurdle, last years winner Berlioz owned by SA interests, Chaparro who was third in the VRC Grand National Steeplechase two starts back, the promising jumper Jervois who had raced successfully in Sa as a young horse and the talented Rabbuka amongst the 8 starters.  There were no local runners but with the older local jumpers being retired in the last season or so and others already spelling after being ready for Oakbank nearly six months ago in March  its going to take a while for the younger horses to come through the ranks as younger jumpers are generally tried over the hurdles before heading to the bigger fences.  There was a small group from a Melbourne based protest group outside the Tram gates and well done to anyone who came through that entrance as when I checked all racegoers were walking past the extremely loud loudhailer and ignoring them.

Rabbuka was first into stride from Mateo who quickly worked up to join him from Jooli Lad then Chaparro, Berlioz with Zaman and Jervois out wider and Show Dancer further back.  Once they settled into stride Mateo went to a clear lead from Zaman and Rabbuka followed by Jervois and Jooli Lad  then a break to Show Dancer followed by Berlioz and Chaparro.  Into the straight on the first occasion Mateo led clearly from Rabbuka then Zaman and Jooli Lad followed by Jervois and Show Dancer with Berlioz and Chaparro at the back.  Little changed to the 1000m mark wit hMateo still in front as Rabbuka and Zaman closed the gap followed by Jooli Lad making ground with Show Dancer then Chaparro with Jervois out wider as Berlioz lost ground perhaps not suited by the wet track.  Over the third last jump Zaman ranged up on the outside to hit the lead from Rabbuka as Mateo started to drop back with Jervois continuing to run on out wider from Jooli Lad.  Heading for the second last Zaman kicked well clear from Rabbuka with Jervois making ground from Jooli Lad then Chaparro.  Getting a little tired towards the last Zaman stood a little jumping the fence but landed safely to put the event beyond doubt winning by nearly 17 1/2 lengths from Jervois with Rabbuka just holding third from Jooli Lad.   Zaman has now had 15 starts for 5 wins and 6 placings over the jumps and is from the stable of F Houlahan & B Johnston with S Pateman returning to the winners list in Adelaide.

Race 4 went to topweight Glaneuse from Spartan Eagle with Sahara Symphony third while the next went to Whitten's Delight from Wings on Her Feet with Bellchuca third.  The Mill Park Stud Hcp saw the Victorian stable of J McArthur successful with Beware of thestorm from Rich Pride with Starkiato third. 

The Sam Turner trained Sandhill Warrior was too good in race 7 defeating Why Not You with Charmed Harmony third.  Sandhill Warrior takes his record to 7 starts for 4 wins and a second.  The final race of the day saw Alchemy's Eight from the Karen Byrnes stable win from Debeersonus with Sava Nugget third.