Mike Moroney puts Ali Vital's Queensland Derby failure down to immaturity and the trainer is pleased with how he has strengthened up as a four-year-old.

Ali Vital returned to racing with a fast-closing fifth behind Sistine Demon over 1500m at Moonee Valley on November 29 and steps up to 2000m in Saturday's Comic Court Handicap at Flemington.

"He's a real natural stayer and comes to hand pretty quickly," Moroney said.

"He's fair bit stronger this time up and whatever he does on Saturday he will keep improving, but he should do well."

In May, Ali vital strung together consecutive wins over 1700m at Warrnambool and 2020m at Doomben to set up a start in the Group One Queensland Derby.

The Derby came just 10 days after his Doomben win and the pressure got to Ali Vital who finished 12th, 18 lengths behind the winner Hawkspur.

"He just wasn't strong enough to back up," said Moroney.

"He won won very well at Doomben but wasn't able to cope with the quick back-up."

Moroney thought early on in About Square's career he would be a stayer but he has proved sprinting is more to his liking.

His win down the Flemington straight in August gives Moroney confidence heading to Saturday's Fiesta Star Handicap (1200m) on his home track.

"He's had a nice freshen-up and he's got a good record down the straight," Moroney said.

But it is a strong race with the Mark Kavanagh-trained Oltre Finito aiming for four wins from five starts.

Oltre Finito suffered his first defeat when he resumed from a seven-month spell to finish a short half head second to Laohu over 1100m at Bendigo on November 27.