Paul Preusker can’t wait to see his quality stayer Surprise Baby (NZ) (Shocking) step into the ring when he starts in the Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m).

Preusker talks regularly in boxing parlance regarding Surprise Baby and said he’s looking forward to him having a decent contest at Flemington over 2000m on Saturday.

“He’s going to be a good winning chance but for me, it’s all about having a spar to get him right for the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m),” Preusker said.

“He worked super on Tuesday. Not too taxing, just beautiful and he’s up for the fight on Saturday.”

Preusker was pleased with the horse’s first-up second to Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo) in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on September 5, although he was a little disappointed that he was beaten.

“He was there for a hit-out. He wasn’t good enough in the finish but he had a tough run,” he said.

It was Surprise Baby’s first start since he finished an unlucky fifth in last year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), a race which is his sole focus this spring.

“We’ve got to be sensible. I don’t want to sacrifice a Melbourne Cup by running in the Cox Plate,” Preusker said.

“He’ll start on Saturday and then we’ll unwind and make the right decision as to whether he has another run before it.”

A son of Shocking, Surprise Baby was purchased as an unraced three-year-old via gavelhouse.com for just $5,500.