A STONE bruise has prevented Flying Home from tackling his long-term goal of the Townsville Cup this weekend, instead keeping the gelding at home for a Doomben mission.

Vets advised trainer Barry Baldwin against floating Flying Home to Townsville for Saturday's $100,000 race, warning the two-day trip by road was not the ideal tonic for recovery.

But the vets were confident that constant treatment at home would ensure Flying Home would be ready for Saturday's Coca-Cola Class 6 Hcp (2100m).

"He's recovered completely so it was wise to keep him at home but I feel sorry for the horse's owner because he was really looking forward to seeing him contest his hometown race," Baldwin said.

"He's drawn barrier one this time so I expect he can get a very nice trail for Jim Byrne this time and I would be disappointed if he didn't race well despite the weight."

Flying Home will carry 59kg in a big field which includes the Baldwin-trained Sir Stanley, which has drawn the outside of the 18 runners.

Last start, Flying Home was a surprise leader but Byrne was forced to enable the gelding to go to the front after it over-raced. This time, Baldwin believes speed runners will cross Flying Home, enabling his horse to get a smother.

"He doesn't usually overrace but he did last time so he was caught up front and he still fought on well down the straight," Baldwin said.

Flying Home had scored impressively at Doomben last summer when he stormed from the rear of the field over the last 200m.