The home side increased their advantage to five points after the latest leg of the Australia V's Ireland Jump Riders challenge series at Werribee in south Melbourne on Tuesday.
Sunday's Flemington hero, Joe Casey, was left without a ride as only six were officially declared for the Hyland Sportswear Class 2 Handicap. But the field for the 1620m field race was reduced to just five when Willie Harnett's intended mount, Maatsulyker was scratched.
Victory went to the Craig Durden-ridden Functional, the 11/8 favourite, winning comfortably from Spoilt Ken and Philip Carberry.
Shane McCann's mount Tehrier did not count for points, but finished third, three lengths in front of Barry Cash, riding 40/1 outsider Cool Crisis.
Lord Deale and Aussie rider, Brian Constable, trailed in last of the five runners and with only half points scored. The locals picked up three points to Ireland's two-and-a-half.
The teams now travel to Sandown on Wednesday, with the Australian's leading by 24 ? points to 19 ? points with just three races remaining in the series.
All four Irishmen ride in a hurdle race at Sandown but Casey misses out once again as only seven declarations have been made for tomorrow's Chase.
Team manager Seam Lynch said: 'The series is still there for us to win and the meeting at Sandown will be hugely important. The lads are all riding well and have impressed everyone who has met them.'
