I AM THE EMPIRE (7) has been plying his trade in metropolitan races in the southern states and should find this assignment more to his liking. Has two wins and two seconds from seven attempts at the trip and is drawn to get all the favours from the inside alley. Rates the testing material. THESECONDATPORTSEA (9) has been thereabouts in recent efforts and looks ready for the step-up to the 2200m here. Solid top-three candidate on best form. Group 3 placegetter HECTOR DE MARIS (1) returned to the winners' stall over this journey last time out and will have derived some confidence from that victory. Right in this. COUP DE TONNERRE (4) is a three-time winner over this distance range and will be rock-hard fit for this. Cannot be ignored. BEDFORD SQUARE (8) rounds out the selections.