CORRUPT followed up his 2400m victory at this level with a dominant last-start success under a penalty over 2600m and, such was the manner of that career-best performance, a 6-point rating rise is unlikely to prevent him from completing the hat-trick. Lightly raced 4yo geldings GREEN MACHINE and SAMUEL SHARPE are maturing stayers with scope to improve over this extended trip. Both are weighted to pose more of a threat to the selection. Veteran BATTLEGROUND and consistent BELLEROPHON also have the means to make their presence felt.

CALADRIUS benefitted from the fitting of blinkers to open her account in a Work Riders race last time. With the headgear retained and improvement expected, she looks ideally placed to make a winning handicap debut. Class-dropper CHAMPAGNE PROBLEMS, returning PHALA MILLIONS and consistent 11yo veteran JET CAT have the form and experience to trouble the selection. Hard-knocker ORIENTAL BOUQUET will enjoy reverting to this trip and should have a role to play.

LOVE NOT WAR showed promise over sprint distances as a 2yo so this shorter trip should be more to her liking. Consistent ICONIC WINTER is respected on her Highveld return for a new stable after a productive stint in the Eastern Cape. WINGS OF KILDRA, ADA LOVELACE and EXECUTRIX are out of sorts but capable of having a say in this lineup off reduced ratings.

Well-related TEMPRANILLO was heavily backed to win a stronger race last time. She acquitted herself well in defeat and a repeat of that performance in her peak outing off an unchanged mark could suffice at this level. Top-weight VERSACE ONTHETRACK and Highveld newcomer WINTER RAINFALL also boast solid form credentials against stronger opposition so should be competitive. Lightly raced SLENDER SILHOUETTE returns from another break but has shown enough to make her presence felt and remains open to improvement. JAZZ PIANIST has earning potential too.

WISH YOU WERE HERE has progressed recently without headgear and won't need to find a great deal of improvement in first-time cheekpieces to fight out the finish. A ROMAN TWIST and COOL GAMBLER would've benefitted from educational introductory outings and should also improve to have a say in the outcome. The latter was a costly acquisition and could be anything on his reappearance following a lengthy layoff during which he was gelded. LEVITATOR, SMOKING GUN and GOD'S COUNTRY appeal most of the remainder.

KORCULA has remained consistent in her 3 comeback appearances and could be rewarded if making any improvement over this extended trip. EPIDAURUS fits a similar profile and wouldn't be winning out of turn either. COMIC ARTIST finished ahead of that rival over this trip last time so should have a role to play. EVENING NEWS had excuses last time and could get into the picture if bouncing back to earlier form.

REPETITION is unbeaten over this distance and was not disgraced in a stronger race over further last time. He has a wide draw to contend with but should play another leading role. THOONSIL is open to improvement stretching out to this trip and his pedigree suggests he will appreciate this sterner test of stamina. ARLINGTON ACTION, CHABAL and EUPHRATES are capable of getting involved if bouncing back from disappointing recent efforts. Consistent ROSY LEMON, hard-knocker ITSNOWORNEVER and last-start winner NUCLEAR FORCE have earning potential too.

ONE STATE and CAMPO FORMIO are closely matched on the form of a recent 1400m meeting and will likely improve for the step up in trip, so they could fight out the finish. However, SWORD OF LIGHT should also have more to offer stretching out to this distance after a pleasing 1450m comeback. MEGA AWESOME, WARTRAX BLAZE and FREESTYLE DANCE have also shown enough to be competitive. Watch the betting on newcomer NOBLE CHIEFDOM.