James Bridge's free-for-all grade star Zulu Smoke ($2.40 favourite) drifted in betting during the lead up to the race but punters should have had even more confidence in the Collision dog to deliver the goods.

The only danger in the race came in the early strides from Hefty Royale ($18, Amanda Ginn), who got away stronger than any other runner from gate three.

Hefty Royale gained a quick half length over the whole field and Zulu Smoke had to play catch up to ensure Ginn's runner wouldn't cross to the rail.

But by the time the turn arrived Zulu Smoke had prevented the danger and was busy building a two length lead.

Zulu Smoke pushed that margin out to five lengths at one point and even after a late fightback from Hefty Royale and Autumn Sun ($9, Richard Board) he wasn't going to be hunted down, winning in 17.89 seconds.

"He jumped out well and soon as he got out to the front I knew he was going to be hard to beat because generally in his races when he gets to the front he's tough to run down," Bridge, from Orange, said.

"I'll keep him over the 300m until he gets to three and a half [years old] which isn't until the end of this year. I'll put him over the 400m then."

Monday's victory means in eight starts from the inside box Zulu Smoke has only missed a placing on one occasion.