Knoydart proved too strong in the Canterbury Classic.

The Peter Snowden-trained four-year-old Knoydart is now unbeaten in two starts this preparation after being gelded.

He began well from his inside barrier (1) and then eased to race in fifth place on the rails, following a fast pace. He moved through along the rails rounding the home turn, got a split at the 150m then dashed clear, with his 7kg advantage over the runner-up, to win by a length. He is racing in good form and looks set to continue progressing through the classes.

Howmuchdoyouloveme was smartly away and then raced in second place, following the tearaway leader Adebisi. He took the lead at the 200m and fought on very well for a very good first-up second with his top weight (61kg).

Tahitian Black ($21) was last in the seven-horse field to the 600m. He got a run through between runners at the 200m and ran on nicely to just grab third.

The favourite Sookie ($3) had a good trip in third spot before improving rounding the home turn. She looked a strong chance half-way down the straight but just battled in the latter stages to finish fourth (beaten a length and a half) and was later reported to have bled.

Centennial Park made ground for fifth while Adebisi set a fast pace as usual before weakening for sixth.