Trainers Leon Macdonald and Bede Murray will oppose each other in the Rosehill Guineas but are united in the knowledge they have the two proven distance horses in the field.Many of the others are stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time on Saturday while the Macdonald-trained Rebel Raider and Murray's Coniston Bluebird have the points on the board.Rebel Raider won the Victoria Derby (2500m) in November while Coniston Bluebird claimed the 2400m New Zealand Classic at the beginning of this mo

Trainers Leon Macdonald and Bede Murray will oppose each other in the Rosehill Guineas but are united in the knowledge they have the two proven distance horses in the field.

Many of the others are stepping up to 2000 metres for the first time on Saturday while the Macdonald-trained Rebel Raider and Murray's Coniston Bluebird have the points on the board.

Rebel Raider won the Victoria Derby (2500m) in November while Coniston Bluebird claimed the 2400m New Zealand Classic at the beginning of this month.

It will be the fourth start this preparation for Rebel Raider and Macdonald believes he is ready to show his best after a couple of Sydney runs that have not impressed punters.

"The pace won't be as hot over the 2000 metres and from barrier six he gets the chance to race how he wants," Macdonald said.

"I expect him to show something of his true form over the longer distance.

"He got too far back from the outside draw in the Hobartville and because he drew barrier 17 in the Randwick Guineas we went forward on him and that didn't work.

"This time he gets things more his own way."

Race jockey Clare Lindop made a flying visit to Sydney to ride Rebel Raider on Tuesday and reported back that she was happy with his final piece of fast work leading into Saturday.

In the lead-up to the Victoria Derby, Rebel Raider ran third in the Geelong Classic (2206m) at the fourth start of his preparation and Macdonald is hoping for at least a similar result.

Murray has the same expectation of Coniston Bluebird.

"He travelled back from New Zealand extremely well and I'm happy going into the race," Murray said.

"He needed to have a start before the Derby and whether or not he can win, I'm not sure.

"But when it comes to the distance I've got no worries on that score and it wouldn't surprise me to see him do very well."

Randwick Guineas winner Metal Bender was at $3.20 with TAB Sportsbet on Thursday to add the Rosehill feature with punters unconcerned he has not yet been beyond 1600 metres in his brief but brilliant career.

Rock Kingdom and Caymans, who finished second and third in the Randwick Guineas, were at $5.50 with fourth-placed Tobique at $6.50.

Coniston Bluebird was at $13 alongside Sousa while Rebel Raider was a $26 chance.

Sousa won the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in October on a slow track but was unplaced in both the Hobartville and Randwick Guineas.

Victorian Pre Eminence, winner of the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) before his third in the Victoria Derby, is a $16 chance following a mixed campaign so far his autumn.

He overcame difficulties second-up to win the Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and was fourth in the Autumn Classic (1800m) at Caulfield before finishing down the track in the Group One Australian Cup (2000m).