Consistent sprinter World Alliance has had his hoof on the till and a good draw has him well placed for his Randwick mission.
It has been 22 months since World Alliance was last tested over 1400-metres, but trainer Matthew Smith believes the time is right to step him out in distance again.
The six-year-is yet to win beyond 1200-metres, his three attempts over further yielding minor placings at the provincials and a fourth in midweek city grade.
However, the gelding was in the early stages of his career at the time and now he is a seasoned six-year-old, Smith says World Alliance deserves another opportunity at the journey in Saturday's Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool Handicap at Randwick.
"We're trying him again at 1400-metres. We haven't done that for some time," Smith said.
"It was a few preparations ago and he is going better now.
"He was still learning how to race then. I'd hope he will be better this time with a bit more race craft under his belt and he's got a soft draw.
"We're confident he'll run it and if he runs the sectionals he's been running in the 1200-metre races over 1400 he will be hard to beat."
World Alliance has drawn barrier seven in the field of 16 plus six emergencies and arrives at the race off the back of two encouraging runs, the latest when flashing home from last on the corner to finish sixth to Disneck over 1200m.
Meanwhile, Peter Snowden is hoping the race can provide an ideal springboard into the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) for Muswellbrook Cup winner Lavish Empire, who closed late when second to Husk over 1200m first-up.
While the gelding's main target is on Melbourne Cup Day, Snowden is adamant he's going well enough to figure in the finish.
"He is on the way to the Big Dance. This is another lead-up race into that but his first-up run when he ran second, it was a very good run and he made up a lot of ground late," Snowden said.
"The fresher the better for him.
"It's a light preparation into the Big Dance but it's the right one to have him at his best."
