Fellow
Tommy Smith trained
Just A Dash was sent out the 11/2 favourite. Gurner's Lane had won the 1982 AJC and the VRC St Leger Stakes, ran third in the Metropolitan Handicap and then won the
Caulfield Cup and incurred a 3 kg penalty for the cup. His impressive run of race victories saw him awarded the Australian Horse of the Year for the 1982–1983 season. Gurner's Lane broke down in early 1983 and although later returning to the track he never won another race. The race is remembered for the defeat of champion
Kingston Town who had won his third
Cox Plate the start before. His jockey,
Malcolm Johnston, was later criticised for taking him to the lead too early. Kingston Town went to Perth and broke down after winning what would be his last race, now named the
Kingston Town Classic. == Field ==