It was a dramatic finish to a race marred by Mr Sneaky dropping jockey Jason Collett and jumping through a fence at the end of the 1400m chute. He ended up in an adjoining property. The race was held up for five minutes as several cars set out after Mr Sneaky didn't sustain any injury despite crashing through the plastic rail and jumping a barb-wire fence.

Angland believes the win might be the making of France after he overcome inference from Calanda at the top of the straight before flying late to grab favourite Prized Icon by a head on the line with Spright back in third.

"It probably switched him on a bit [the inference] and he really found another gear when he balanced after it," Angland said.

"It might be the sort of win that might be the making of a horse because he was bit casual but he really focused late and found the line. He was very strong late."

It is a finish that might supply good form references in Brisbane in coming weeks with France to target the Queensland Guineas, while James Cummings will step Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon in trip. "I thought it was a winning run by him," Cummings said. "He will have to step up a half mile at his next start, which might be the O'Shea Stakes [over 2200m] before backing up into the Derby.