NEXT UP

The third trio member, Iron Ruler, is not exactly a frequent visitor on the All-Weather either, but from his three tries in 13 starts, he has garnered a pretty handy record of two wins over 1 m and 1 1⁄16 m. The Dissident four-year-old however, facing another test of his own by rising in grade.

Vittoria Perfetta (x Zoustar) and On Line (O'Reilly) share fairly identical profiles having both won four times over sprint to mile trips, but in 34 starts between them, neither have had a taste of Polytrack racing, but plenty of it in practice.

Clements is hoping those morning dress rehearsals should put the two five-year-olds in good stead for a forward showing in the real deal on Saturday.

"With not much racing going I didn't have much of a choice but to run them on Polytrack," he said.

"They both gallop well on it and trial okay on With a bit of luck in the running, I think they'll go all right.

"We were very happy with the way On Line  finished off his last race (third in a Kranji Stakes C race over the turf mile on December coming from off the pace to give himself some sort of a chance.

"Vittoria Perfetta is more versatile. He can come off the pace but he can also lead, he won one race from the front, albeit in lower class (Restricted Maiden).

"Iron Ruler has won over the course and distance, but he is up in class this time. The way he won a Class 4 race over this surface and distance (October 3) suggests he will go all right in this class.

"He likes to be up on the pace, but he's drawn wide, just like the other two. We'll have to see how the early speed pans out."

Iron Ruler has drawn 11 with his two stablemates as his next-door neighbours on his inside in 10 (On Line) and nine (Vittoria Perfetta). Those barriers will drop by one after the scratchings.

Vittoria Perfetta reunites with Saifudin Ismail while On Line will team up with Louis-Philippe Beuzelin. For Iron Ruler, Clements has booked Mark Walker's apprentice jockey Hakim Kamaruddin whose claim will shave three kilos off the 56.5kgs impost.