Emgrand Centre's three wins and six placings over 520m at Wentworth Park make him look a graded certainty when he makes his middle-distance debut at Richmond on Wednesday night.
Emgrand Centre, who has been runner-up at his past three Wentworth Park appearances, tackles 622m for the first time in the first GRNSW Middle Distance Series.
Trainer Luke Azzopardi concedes he is "in the dark" about Emgrand Centre's ability to run out a strong 622m.
Azzopardi said: "I've got no idea whether he can run it out but if he can't win this race I don't think he has a future as a middle distance performer.
"Emgrand Centre has a soft draw in box two and this looks to be a quiet field while Richmond is his favourite track, my kennels are two minutes away from the course.
"He has given every indication he will run 622m because he has been finishing powerfully in stronger fields at the end of 520m at Wentworth Park.''
Emgrand Centre's eye-catching pointer to Wednesday's race was his fast-finishing second behind Luai Banner in a heat of the group one Ladbrokes National Derby at Wentworth Park on January 12, when he came from a distant fourth with 200m to go and was beaten a nose.
Finishing behind Emgrand Centre that night was the Victorian group one winner Mepunga Shine, who was just over a length away third.
If there is a danger to Emgrand Centre on Wednesday it could be the lightly raced Ritza Trish, who has box one.
Ritza Trish was runner-up at her first start, over 520m at Dapto on January 4, before finishing strongly to win a 520m maiden race there a week later in the moderate time of 30.31.
Her trainer Mark Gatt said: "She is very strong at the end of 520m but she is also extremely inexperienced.
"I have a good opinion of her but Emgrand Centre has a huge advantage as far as experience goes.
"Ritza Trish is probably capable of running the 622m but my concern is she could make a few mistakes during the race.''
Emgrand Centre
A month ago connections considered Binalong Time the star of former champion stayer Poco Dorado's litter by Flying Ricciardo but that ranking has been debunked following Saturday's Group One Ladbrokes National Futurity win by her litter sister Gets Late Early.
Gets Late Early led all the way to win the 520m Futurity while another litter sister, Ain't Waiting, was a strong finishing third.
While there is no doubt Gets Late Early and Ain't Waiting have displayed remarkable improvement over the past few weeks, Binalong Time should keep the family to the fore by taking out Wednesday night's second 622m GRNSW Middle Distance Series.
Binalong Time recorded a fast 35.77 in chasing home Bell Mac Blazer over the Richmond 622m trip on January 10 before finishing sixth in a far tougher assignment over the same course a week later.
That night Binalong Time had box two and after colliding soon after the start with the greyhound drawn on the rails, she raced wide into second place but faded in the run home.
Binalong Time meets weaker opposition on Wednesday and being a wide runner, is not badly drawn in box five, especially as she has a vacant box on her outside.
Binalong Time
On times posted over 622m at Richmond, Binalong Time has "plenty" on her rivals, with none of her five opponents having broken 36sec and the closest being Lucky To Race, with a personal best of 36.28.
Shortest priced favourite at Richmond on Wednesday will be Not Without, who is expected to retain his unbeaten record when he exits box one in the 520m Ladbrokes Odds Surge Stakes.
The Jane Carruthers-trained dog won his first two races, over 520m at Richmond, in a flying 29.60 and a near-record 29.34 before clocking a slick 29.75 in an all-the-way win at his Wentworth Park 520m debut on January 19.
