Trainer Pat Duff believes rival Albert The Fat is a class act and has some reservations whether his talented sprinter Heart Of The Citi can turn the tables on the Sydney spring hopeful at Doomben.Albert The Fat and Heart Of The Citi's careers will cross paths for only the second time in Saturday's Clean Domain Quality (1200m).The Eden Petrie-trained Albert The Fat got the measure of Heart Of The Citi when the rising five-year-old won over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm two weeks ago with Duff's charg

Trainer Pat Duff believes rival Albert The Fat is a class act and has some reservations whether his talented sprinter Heart Of The Citi can turn the tables on the Sydney spring hopeful at Doomben.

Albert The Fat and Heart Of The Citi's careers will cross paths for only the second time in Saturday's Clean Domain Quality (1200m).

The Eden Petrie-trained Albert The Fat got the measure of Heart Of The Citi when the rising five-year-old won over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm two weeks ago with Duff's charge less than 1-1/2 lengths away third.

Heart Of The Citi, who has drawn the rails, will have a significant 1.5 kilogram weight advantage for their return bout yet Duff is worried it might not be enough.

"It's going to get down to which horse has improved the most," Duff said.

"Heart Of The Citi loomed up to win last run and had every chance but we're meeting Albert The Fat better in the weights this time.

"Albert The Fat is a class act and I'm just hoping my horse has improved more than him.

"We've got one alley in our favour but Albert The Fat should also take a lot of improvement from his first-up win."

Albert The Fat will be on trial for a Sydney trip but Duff is prepared to stay at home with last year's Magic Millions Trophy winner.

Duff has endured a frustrating time with Heart Of the Citi, who hasn't won for 16 months since his triumph in the $1 million Gold Coast feature.

The Show A Heart gelding has since had surgery to remove small spurs from both front knees and is only now starting to rediscover his best form.

"He's very sound at the moment. It wasn't a major operation but he's a chunky horse who thrives on racing," Duff said.

"He had a long break after the surgery but he's improving with every run and tomorrow will be only his third run back."

Duff was disappointed with Heart Of The Citi's comeback when he finished eighth to Mr Aristos over 1000 metres at Eagle Farm on July 4.

"It was too short for him but I expected him to ping to the line better," he said.

"It was a much better run last time behind Albert The Fat and with any luck he could turn the tables tomorrow.

"I've got no plans to take him away for the spring and he'll have two or three more runs and then go out for a short break.

"I'll probably get him ready for one or two legs of the Doomben summer series before the Magic Millions Cup in January."

Petrie is hoping a strong performance from Albert The Fat will confirm a Sydney trip for the spring.

The son of Magic Albert is being directed towards the Listed Show County Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on August 22 before the Group Two Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 12.

A Melbourne trip is also in the pipeline if Albert The Fat measures up in his Sydney assignments.