Trainer Jim Taylor is confident Shock Value has recovered from a virus that affected his last-start performance and will be competitive in Sunday’s $100,000 Northam Toyota Sprint (1100m).

Shock Value resumed from a spell in last month’s WATC Stakes and despite a strong first-up record the Key Business five-year-old faded to be near last and four lengths from Mekong Miss.

He never got settled into the race at any stage and was trapped wide without cover but a post-race veterinary examination provided a clue to his uncharacteristic performance.

“We had a scope done post-race which indicated he was getting over a virus,” Taylor said.

“All tests done since indicate he has recovered well.

“He is an honest horse and hardly out of the money and will be close to them again.”

Shock Value is on the second line of betting as a $4.20 chance on Player fixed odds.

Heading the market at $3.70 is the Simon Miller-trained Power Princess who is making her first appearance since the Jungle Dawn Classic last November.

The Marwina mare tuned up for her return with a solid trial win over Famous Roman at Belmont Park which caught the eye of Taylor.

“Very little separated the pair but Power Princess was forced to carry a lot more weight with Ryan Martin aboard than Jason Brown on Famous Roman,” Taylor said.

“The weight turnaround was the reason I took Famous Roman out of the race.

“I would say Power Princess will be very hard to beat.”

A $6 chance on Player is the Bruce Watkins’-trained Grand Jardin who showcased his potential with several explosive performances at last year’s Festival of Perth Racing.

It included a brilliant win in the Crawford Stakes when he defeated Kid Choisir and Impatient Times.

If the Redoute’s Choice five-year-old is allowed to roll out in front he could prove difficult to run down over the final stages.

“He was flying and going very good over the carnival,” Taylor said.

“If he was spot-on he would obviously be very hard to beat but he hasn’t had a trial so maybe horses that have wind operations may need the run first-up.”