Trainer Grahame Begg admits Royal Insignia faces tougher conditions when he returns to Flemington for the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
The four-year-old will carry 58.5kg under set-weights and penalties, a sharp rise from the 53kg he carried when finishing fourth in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes last month.
Star Patrol, who beat him home that day, now meets the Begg-trained galloper 3.5kg better at the weights.
Despite that disadvantage, Begg says his sprinter is thriving in fitness and only needs continuity in racing.
“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.”
Craig Williams retains the ride, with Begg hoping for a Good 4 surface or better as Royal Insignia chases his first Flemington victory.