Alalcance has already delivered a trio of stakes wins this season, but her toughest test awaits in the Sydney Cup (3200m), where she will be trying two miles for the first time. Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Adrian Bott believes she’s ready for the leap in distance.

The five-year-old has proven to be one of the most exciting mares this autumn, with her latest success coming in the Chairman’s Quality (2600m), where she outclassed much of Saturday’s Sydney Cup field.

“She’s got the pedigree to suggest she will stay and she was obviously very strong through the line there on Saturday after sustaining a strong gallop,” Bott said of the daughter of Mastercraftsman.

“All the right indications are there. Obviously, you do like to see them prove themselves first over that distance so it’s going to be new territory for her on Saturday.

“But everything she has shown to date gives a positive indication that she will (stay).”

The Chairman’s has often revealed Sydney Cup stars, and Bott is pleased with how Alalcance pulled up after that win.

“It was one of her better performances this preparation and that’s what we were hoping to see, that continued improvement as we see her step up in trip,” he said.

Alalcance drew gate 15, a position Bott sees as advantageous for the adaptable mare.

“As we saw on Saturday, Tim (Clark) was able to ride his own race and that’s what we’re going to look to do with her,” Bott said.

“She is versatile, there are a number of different ways she can be ridden and I think that draw gives us the best options to do so.”

With her odds sitting at $2.40, Alalcance is the clear market leader, with only Zardozi and Birdman considered her main threats.