The Australian Guineas form should come to the fore in tonight's Group 2 Alister Clarke Stakes but it can be the emerging Proliferate that progresses best.
The Mick Price trained colt, a son of More Than Ready and a half brother to Group 1 winning stayer Grand Journey, finished alongside a few others engaged in this race when around seven lengths from Mosheen in the Group 1 Australian Guineas.
But fitter for two runs from a spell and over the extra ground for tonight's 2040m race, Proliferate can return to his best form and notch his biggest win.
The colt made his debut in a 1400m maiden at Geelong last spring, coming from last to score a narrow but impressive win.
He then stepped straight into an RB72 over a mile and led throughout to score another narrow but determined win.
Straight to Listed grade over 1800m in the Myer Fashion Stakes at Flemington on Cup day, he sat just off the pace before looming up and edging clear to score a third straight win.
Price sent the colt for a well earned break and kicked him off this campaign over 1400m in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes.
He wasn't the best away and settled well back before coming wide around the bend and working home strongly to finish runner up behind Pied A Terre. Perhaps he would have gone close but for laying in.
Up to a mile in the Group 1 Australian Guineas, he was caught three and four deep just off the speed throughout.
Turning there he loomed upo but after the tough run was no match late, finishing a 7.9 length seventh behind smart winner Mosheen.
Tonight he finds an easier race and will be fitter again for the run.
The colt looks well placed at the extra journey and has drawn for the run of the race in barrier four.
He has certainly shown enough potential for this level and looks set to feature with a good run by regular rider Michael Walker.
The Mike Moroney trained Sabrage finished just ahead of Proliferate in the Guineas and he will also be suited by the longer journey tonight.
The Charge Forward colt, a half brother to Group 1 placed Pinnacles, measured up to top grade in the spring and is ready to improve here.
Sabrage placed third up lats time in when taking on the Group 2 Stutt Stakes here, then went to 2000m for the first time in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes.
Settling off the speed, he ran on well to score a head win over Sangster.
Next start, in the Group 1 Victoria Derby, Sangster turned the tables with Sabrage working home well into third place.
This campaign, he resumed in the Group 3 Hayes Stakes and ran on late to finish eighth, before stepping up to a mile in the Guineas last time.
After settling midfield, he was forced to find clearer running back to the inside and worked home steadily to finish sixth, 7.2 lengths form the easy winner and a half length in front of Proliferate.
He will be fitter for that and is well placed at the longer journey now.
On his spring form he looks hard to beat.
Highly Recommended was another who was thereabouts in the Guineas and he may appreciate the longer journey tonight.
The Peter Moody trained colt, who finished fifth in the Guineas, has never raced beyond a mile but shapes as though he'll handle it.
He has drawn for a good run tonight, fitter for three runs back and should be thereabouts in the finish.
There was little between Sabrage and Sangster in the spring but the Derby winner has struggled so far this time in.
He gets the chance to improve in easier grade tonight from an ideal draw and a change of rider in Danny Nikolic.
He certainly has the ability and worth including in the multiples.
The other worth including is Dany The Fox, who had absolutely no luck in the Group 2 Autumn Classic last time and is worth another chance in similar grade.
