Trainer Leon Corstens' sprinter Alpha Proxima will face a testing first-up task when he lines up in the City Jeep Handicap at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

But while Corstens couldn't be happier with the seven-year-old who will be chasing his 10th win, he says the 1000m scamper will present a challenge.

"I thought it was a very tough race to be honest - there's plenty of speed in the race," Corstens said.

"Hopefully from that alley where we are (in two) we might take a sit but whether that's going to work against us or not I don't know.

"Sometimes you do that in these speed races and the moment you want to get out something else is dropping back in your face and you finish up in the back end of them."

Alpha Proxima heads into the race with a successful barrier trial at Tatura behind him and Corstens feels he is as well prepared as he can be.

"I'm really pleased with him and all I can do is keep my fingers crossed," he said.

"He's had a couple of trials and gone quite nicely.

"He's been a very honest horse to us and he's starting to strike up a little bit of prizemoney together and I'm tickled pink with him."

Meanwhile, Corstens' Caulfield Guineas-winning filly Commanding Jewel, who has been in the paddock for the past month, is set to return to action in the new year.

"I'll have a good look at her after Christmas and I'll decide then," Corstens said.

"I'll let her tell me where we're going and what we're doing."