Consistent grey Freshwater Storm will top off his latest preparation at Flemington with trainer Tony Parker eyeing a major country Cup in the new year.

The only blip on the gelding’s spring carnival was in the Subzero Challenge on November 7, the final in a three-race series restricted to grey horses, in which he finished midfield after bungling the start.

He followed that up three weeks later with victory in a 1700m race at Caulfield to take his tally to three wins from four starts so far this campaign.

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Parker believes the five-year-old gelding will be hard to beat on Saturday in the Dorevitch Pathology Handicap (1720m) at Flemington, his final start for the 2013 with the Kilmore Cup in February a goal.

Freshwater Storm has shown his versatility during his 24-start career, winning races from 1200 metres to 2000 metres.

He is the TAB’s $5.50 second favourite with the Robbie Griffiths-trained Chile Express holding sway on Friday at $4.80.

But Parker believes Freshwater Storm should get a race run to suit.

“In Saturday’s race there should be plenty of pace and the main dangers, Chile Express and Stratigraphy, haven’t raced over the distance, so they will have to step up,” said Parker.

“He’s going to be pretty hard to beat.”

Parker said after Saturday, Freshwater Storm would have a week of paddock rest before the build-up to the $260,000 Listed Kilmore Cup on February 23.