The handicaps say Fontelina has to be better than last year to go back-to-back in the Group Two Yellowglen Stakes at Flemington.

But trainer Anthony Cummings insists the sprinter is up to the task.

Fontelina won last year's straight-track sprint on Derby day at Flemington first-up from a spell with 54kg but has to carry 57.5kg on Saturday.

The five-year-old gelding heads into this year's race off a different preparation but Cummings is confident of the same result.

Fontelina was beaten in a photo in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last start at Caulfield five weeks ago before attention shifted to the Yellowglen.

"We thought about going to the Manikato Stakes and then elected not to go there and go to this race to try our luck at going back-to-back," Cummings said.

"I'm happy with the weight he got and the horse is at the top of his game.

"He'll run a great race, I'd say.

"The handicapper says he's got to be better, so I'm saying he is."

In a wide-open market where the favourites - Bennetta and Shamal Wind - are at $7.50, Fontelina is a $12 chance.

Trainer John O'Shea is also upbeat about the prospects of Steps In Time who will race in blinkers for the first time.

Steps In Time was beaten less than a length in third two starts ago in the Gilgai Stakes (1200m) which was her first attempt at the Flemington straight.

The front-running mare drops back to 1200m after her last-start fourth to Myer Classic favourite Red Tracer in the Tristarc Stakes (1400m).

"She worked brilliantly on Tuesday morning," O'Shea said.

"She'll get the blinkers on on Saturday and we get Nash (Rawiller) back in the saddle.

"She's had a go down the straight where things didn't work out for her, but I think she'll run a lot better on Saturday."