The attraction of a feature race at the ideal distance has prompted Sydney trainer David Payne to make a one-off Melbourne raid with the reliable but ageing Centennial Park.

Payne will run the gelding, who has battled incessant leg injuries his whole life, in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Sunday.

The seven-year-old will be on his fifth trip to Melbourne specifically to run in an open company race at 1400m.

"He doesn't really get 1500 or 1600 metres, he's really a 1400 metre horse and being a handicap, he comes in quite well," Payne said.

"Pinwheel (the second top weight) has got to give him five kilos and the last time they met he only got beat a couple of lengths by him.

"It's a nice race for him because of the weight advantage, and it's his best distance, so he will be competitive."

Payne dismissed Centennial Park's past two flops earlier this month, saying neither race had panned out as anticipated.

"At Warwick Farm we chased them when we thought it was going to be a slow pace and it ended up a real gallop and we were too handy," he said.

"Then the next time (at Rosehill) we thought it was going to be a fast pace and I told him to sit and they went too slow.

"You can forgive him his last couple of runs."

Centennial Park will be rewarded with a two-month spell after his Melbourne assignment and his long-term future will be decided shortly after his return.

"He's getting on a bit and we're just hoping to pull off one of these if possible," Payne said.

"It will be a bonus because he's been a very good horse to us."

Payne said Centennial Park had endured foot and joint problems since he was a two-year-old and was overlooked at the sales.

"As long as he's happy we'll keep on racing him, but if we bring him back and he's not too keen to go, we'll pull the plug," he said.

A field of 15 was paid up for the Rupert Clarke including the Peter Moody-trained pair of Mr Make Believe and Moment Of Change, impressive first-up winner We're Gonna Rock and Aurie's Star victor Shanghai Warrior.