Trainer Grahame Begg is keeping a close watch on the weather as he prepares Royal Insignia for a first-up run at Caulfield.

The four-year-old entire is among the nominations for Saturday’s Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m), which will be his first start since finishing tenth in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington in March.

This preparation, Begg has opted to keep Royal Insignia to shorter trips but remains reluctant to start him on significantly rain-affected ground.

“The only way he won’t run is if it’s a heavy track,” Begg said.

Weather forecasts are predicting between two and nine millimetres of rain at Caulfield on Friday, with the possibility of up to three more millimetres on Saturday.

Royal Insignia has had three jump-outs leading into his return, winning his latest over 1000m on Monday. Begg explained that choosing Monday’s hit-out instead of a Cranbourne gallop on Tuesday was designed to add an extra edge of fitness.

It was also noted that Royal Insignia sweated up during the gallop, but Begg said that was intentional.

“He’s been in work for some time but, with the timing and everything, it was going to be a long time between his last jump-out and Saturday if I didn’t take him yesterday,” Begg said.

“Being a colt, he’s a big strong lad, and he needed that little bit extra.

“Him sweating up, that was on purpose. We took him over early and gave him a bit of a warm-up beforehand.

“He is a bit of a free sweater, but it was good to get him there as I wouldn’t have been able to simulate that with just a gallop this morning.

“This way I was able to knock a few of the rough edges off him.

“He has sweated up before, but he is a very laid-back horse on the track, so if I galloped him this morning in the company of another horse, he wouldn’t have got that sort of work out.

“We’re looking forward to seeing him return on Saturday, but we’re hopeful that we don’t get too much rain.”

Jordan Childs, who partnered Royal Insignia in his past two jump-outs, will take the ride on Saturday.

Punters eager to back Royal Insignia or assess the field for the Regal Roller Stakes can explore the latest online betting options available in Australia.