Awkward barriers have cost two-year-old Hard Stride but co-trainer Simon Zahra believes the colt can make amends and end his first campaign on a high note at Flemington on Saturday.

Hard Stride is one of two runners for the training partnership of Zahra and Mathew Ellerton in the $180,000 VOBIS Gold Ingot (1200m) having finished second and fourth in his only two starts.

The colt was caught wide in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Rush on debut at Bendigo when dead-heating for second to Iconic.

He then had to work hard from an outside draw and it told at the finish when beaten a length at his second start at Caulfield.

Hard Stride has barrier seven for Saturday's event and Zahra only has one slight concern going into the race.

"He's a lovely horse and the barrier has probably beaten him both times so far," Zahra said.

"He seems to have trained on and looks good, so if he hasn't had enough he'll be right in the finish."

Washington Square joins Hard Stride and Zahra said the son of Statue Of Liberty was a talented horse but still learning his craft.

"Washington Square has got a lot of ability but is still doing a lot wrong," the trainer said.

The two youngsters form part of a big team for the stable at the Flemington meeting including stakes-winning mare Star Of Giselle who returns to Melbourne after failing in the Group One Coolmore Classic last start.

Star Of Giselle lines up in the Lort Smith Animal Hospital Handicap (1600m) looking to bounce back.

"We've tried to just freshen her up as much as we can and she had a nice gallop on the grass yesterday morning," Zahra said.

"I can't fault her but I just hope the trip up and back and the run hasn't dinted her confidence."