It did not look good for Oceanographer’s supporters rounding the home turn, with the market leader still last and the pacesetting Tom Melbourne looked set to score after going clear.

However, once straightened up, Oceanographer engaged overdrive and got up to land the extended mile-and-a-half prize by half a length.

Trainer Charlie Appleby said: “I saw him on the track this morning jumping and kicking, so we knew he was in good form.”

Appleby will also saddle Qewy, Saeed bin Suroor is set to run beautiful romance and Secret Number and John O’Shea has ante-post favourite Hartnell.