Almost 12 months ago Sydney sprinter News Alert was fighting a life-threatening stomach virus in a Brisbane veterinary clinic.Fast forward to now and the six-year-old will achieve a remarkable comeback if he claims Saturday's Listed Prime Minister's Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast.Trainer Con Karakatsanis admitted he was resigned to losing New Alert only days after the gelding finished seventh to Hot Danish in the Group One Doomben 10,000 last May."He's been a great horse to me but he had to have

Almost 12 months ago Sydney sprinter News Alert was fighting a life-threatening stomach virus in a Brisbane veterinary clinic.

Fast forward to now and the six-year-old will achieve a remarkable comeback if he claims Saturday's Listed Prime Minister's Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast.

Trainer Con Karakatsanis admitted he was resigned to losing New Alert only days after the gelding finished seventh to Hot Danish in the Group One Doomben 10,000 last May.

"He's been a great horse to me but he had to have nine months off after he got crook following the 10,000," Karakatsanis said.

"He spent three months up there at the Redlands vet clinic with a stomach virus which almost killed him.

"Somehow his entire body was poisoned from the virus. He went from being 110 per cent to just about dead within a few days of the 10,000."

News Alert's amazing recovery didn't surprise Karakatsanis, who rates him one of the toughest horses he's prepared since he began training four years ago.

"He's an amazingly tough horse," he said.

"He had 10 months off following his illness before he raced again and this is his first preparation since last winter."

News Alert has started five times this preparation but indicated he was returning to his best form when runner-up to Swift Alliance in the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m) on April 2.

The son of Danehill Dancer then produced a solid effort to finish a close fourth to Atomic Force in the Group One The Galaxy (1100m) on a heavy Randwick track a fortnight later.

"He was slow out of the gates and was run off his feet on the heavy track in the Galaxy," Karakatsanis said.

"I think going to 1300 metres tomorrow is really going to suit him.

"He travelled up well from Sydney and arrived on the Gold Coast on Tuesday and he's settled in well.

"If he runs well I'm looking at setting him for the Stradbroke along with the black horse (Black Piranha).

Karakatsanis has won two Group Ones, both with Black Piranha in the past two Stradbroke Handicaps at Eagle Farm.

"I don't think News Alert has got the brilliance for the Stradbroke but I'm looking at it because he'll get in with a light weight," he said.

"He's tough and honest and if he goes that way he'll be a genuine chance."