Trainer Grahame Begg admits Royal Insignia faces tougher conditions as he heads back to Flemington for his third run this preparation.

The four-year-old sprinter takes his place in Saturday’s Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m), drawing a middle barrier in a field of 16 plus one emergency.

At his most recent appearance, Royal Insignia finished fourth in the Group 2 Bobbie Lewis Stakes (1200m) on September 13 when carrying 53kg from barrier three. This weekend, he steps up to 58.5kg under the set-weights and penalties format.

To make matters harder, Star Patrol — who finished ahead of him in the Bobbie Lewis — will meet Begg’s runner 3.5kg better at the weights.

Despite that, Begg is pleased with the gelding’s progress and says he just needs consistent racing to bring out his best.

“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 hopes the Flemington surface remains in the Good 4 range or better on Saturday as Royal Insignia searches for his first victory at the track. Craig Williams, who rode him in the Bobbie Lewis, retains the mount.

Punters looking to back Royal Insignia or others in the Gilgai Stakes can compare markets across Australia’s top betting sites and trusted online bookmakers.