The Peter Moody-trained gelding ($2.70) raced up on the pace and after being pressured briefly through the first half of the race, was the strongest at the finish, defeating Cups contenders Young Werther ($26) and Chapada ($101).
Defending Turnbull and Caulfield Cup champion Verry Ellleegant ($2.10 favourite) stalked the pace, settling fourth, but after looming on straightening could only hold her ground, while Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet ($8) raced three wide minus cover outside the pace throughout and faded into sixth.
"We wanted to have a good gallop, we needed to take improvement from today out of the Caulfield Cup and Mount Popa made sure we had a good gallop," Moody said.
"Brett (Prebble, jockey) thought that he wanted to be on the inside, he thought that was the best part of the track so he made endeavours to hold it, so it ended up being a good test.
"He showed plenty of courage, he's a bloody tough horse isn't he?"
Incentivise winning at Flemington (Image: Racing Photos)
