Ciaron Maher’s primary hope for this Saturday’s Tancred Stakes is Duke De Sessa, but the 2400-metre Group 1 event at Rosehill also carries significance for another stable runner.

Circle Of Fire will use the $1.5 million race as his final lead-up before attempting to defend his Sydney Cup title.

The son of Almanzor enters the event as a $26 outsider in all-in markets, but with the step up to 2400 metres for the first time this campaign, Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull expects a stronger showing.

“He’s tricky to assess because he’s a grinding stayer, and until he gets to 2400 metres or beyond, he doesn’t show much,” Turnbull said.

“Each start, he’s been closing the gap, edging closer to the winner. Looking at his past performances, his progress is quite similar to when he won the Sydney Cup.

“He’s tracking well; he just needs more distance.”

Circle Of Fire hasn’t competed over 2400m or longer since last year’s Melbourne Cup, where he finished sixth, just 2-3/4 lengths behind Knight’s Choice.

His current preparation began in the Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m), where he finished second-last, trailing the winner by 6-3/4 lengths. He then finished fourth of six in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m), coming in 3-1/4 lengths behind Tancred Stakes favourite Vauban.

“There was no early speed in the Sky High, so he raced a bit closer than usual and then just lacked a turn of foot, but he’s heading in the right direction.”

The Tancred Stakes marks Circle Of Fire’s last outing before the $2m Sydney Cup (3200m), though Duke De Sessa is unlikely to join him in that race.

The Caulfield Cup champion’s next target will be decided after Saturday, with betting sites listing him as the $6 third favorite, trailing joint $3.50 leaders Vauban and Dubai Honour.

Duke De Sessa heads into the Tancred Stakes after an unlucky second in the Australian Cup Prelude, following a first-up victory in the Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m) at Caulfield.