Unbeaten in two starts this campaign, General Salute faces tough challenges in the Hall Mark Stakes at Randwick.

The four-year-old has drawn the outside barrier in a field of 11, following two early scratchings, and also rises five kilos from his last win in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).

Co-trainer Sterling Alexiou is confident about General Salute’s form, despite the hurdles.

“He is airborne this preparation,” Alexiou said. “He hasn’t had a thing go wrong, and he will run really well.”

General Salute’s last two wins came at Kembla Grange and Rosehill, though he finished second in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes over Randwick’s 1200m. Alexiou believes the spacious Randwick track will suit him well, allowing him to find his rhythm and unleash a strong sprint.

“If he keeps going the way he’s going, he will be really hard to beat on Saturday,” Alexiou said.

The Hall Mark Stakes has been a notable launch pad for future Brisbane winter carnival stars, with past winners like Redzel and Trekking going on to bigger successes.