Trainer Grahame Begg concedes Royal Insignia is not as well suited as he heads back to Flemington for the third start of his campaign.
Royal Insignia lines up in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday and has a middle gate in the field of 16, plus one emergency.
At his most recent outing at Flemington when fourth in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) on September 13, Royal Insignia drew barrier three and carried just 53kg.
On Saturday, Royal Insignia leaps to 58.5kg under the set-weights and penalties conditions.
As a guide, Star Patrol, who beat Royal Insignia home in the Bobbie Lewis, meets the Begg-trained sprinter on 3.5kg better weight terms.
While conditions are against Royal Insignia, Begg could not be happier with how the four-year-old is progressing fitness wise and wants the sprinter to get some regular racing under the belt.
Begg said Saturday’s draw was more advantageous for his sprinter.
“I don’t think he was advantaged being on the inside of them last time,” Begg said.
“I’m not a big fan of them being on the inside down the Flemington straight, but the horse, he’s going really well.
“He’s not as advantaged at the weights this time around because the Bobbie Lewis was a quality handicap and the Gilgai is set weights and penalties.
“He looks fantastic, but the problem with him is that you can’t get continuity in races.
“He went a month between his first and second up runs and he then has gone three weeks again for his next run.”
Begg is hoping the track remains in the Good 4 range, or better, for Royal Insignia on Saturday as the sprinter looks to open his winning account at Flemington.
Craig Williams, who partnered Royal Insignia in the Bobbie Lewis, takes the ride again on Saturday.
