Sickness cost Zlatan a chance to claim some minor spring glory but trainer Leigh Childs is convinced the stylish front-runner is set for a profitable autumn.

Childs had entertained Moonee Valley Gold Cup plans for Zlatan until the six-year-old got sick and lost too much condition to continue in a spring campaign that started with a promising barrier trial win.

And while there will be an obvious fitness concern and the steadier of 60kg to contend with on Saturday, Childs is confident Zlatan is ready to resume on a bright note in the Equiano Speed Yearlings Heat 6 (1600m) at Caulfield.

"Fitness is always a query when you set them for a distance like (1600 metres) and they haven't raced for a while," Childs said.

"But he is a clean-winded horse and we hope his ability can pull him through."

Zlatan has compiled eight wins from 18 starts and Childs is hoping there is more to come as he targets the Pakenham and Stony Creek Cups.

"He has a good staying race in him but to what level I'm not sure," Childs said.

The gelding has not been seen at the races since he was runner-up with Chris Symons in the saddle for the first time in last year's Stony Creek Cup in March.

Symons takes the mount again on Saturday as Zlatan resumes as a $13 chance in early markets.

The Peter Moody-trained Quick Snitzel dominates betting as a $1.80 favourite as he tries to make amends for a half-head defeat to Sistine Demon at Flemington on December 21.