Trainer Geoff Duryea says fitness won't be an issue when Front Page makes his highly-anticipated return from a spell at Caulfield on Saturday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Front Page is set to contest the $125,000 Open Hcp, (1100m) with regular jockey Lewis German booked to ride.
The slick sprinter is the $4.50-favourite for The Kosciuszko with Saturday's race a crucial lead-up ahead of the $1.3-million feature.
Duryea said it was hard to get a gauge on Front Page who saves his best for race day and is resuming from a 13-week spell.
"He seems pretty good," Duryea told RSN Racing Pulse.
"He is a very casual horse so it's hard to get a gauge on him from trackwork
"I've done a fair bit of work with him, so he is pretty fit.
"But he has to be because of the sort of races he has to run in, I've got to have him fairly wound up.
"I can't be going to Melbourne underdone and he has to be fit, so hopefully he should be able to handle them fitness-wise."
IN OTHER NEWS
Duryea is relieved he can start Front Page's preparation off in Melbourne in preference to Sydney after Racing NSW recently allowed horses to cross the border under strict protocols.
"There's been a lot of drama and a lot of hassle but at the moment we are allowed to race in Victoria," he said.
"There is a bit of drama getting back into NSW but we will get over it.
"We'll get over Saturday first and worry about the next step after that.
"It's been frustrating because heading to Sydney is a big drag on your horse.
"Especially a young horse like Front Page.
"It's not just a day trip
"It's seven hours up and seven hours back and it knocks a horse around.
"In contrast I can get to Caulfield or Flemington in a bit over three hours and be home by seven o'clock."
Bookmakers expect Front Page to make a winning return with the gelding considered a $3-favourite to notch his fourth consecutive win.
The Phillip Stokes-trained Octane is considered the biggest danger.
Octane is a $3.40-chance in pre-post markets and has also won his past three starts.
Duryea said News Girl was on her road to recovery from her recent tendon injury.