Russian Revolution (Image: Bradley Photos)
It's a $200,000 dress rehearsal but Saturday's McEwen Stakes will determine where and how Russian Revolution plots his path through the spring.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said on Friday morning that Russian Revolution's first-up performance in the 1000-metre McEwen would either confirm or rule out a Moir Stakes challenge in three weeks, with Snowden wary the tight-turning track might present a problem for his Group 1 winner.
"Although he's been down here (Melbourne) before, it's obviously a learning curve for him at Moonee Valley," Snowden said. "But that's why we are here with us potentially going to the Moir after Saturday.
"It's going to give us an indication if he can handle the track.
"It's quite a classy field and there's numbers there in speed as well. (He) definitely won't be pulling I hope. He's going to be strong on the line and strong through the line. He's performed at Group 1 level before - he's been very effective so that's got to hold us in good stead tomorrow."
Despite expectations being high for a good result on Saturday with Russian Revolution, Snowden said there would be any amount of improvement in the sprinter.
"He's one that does improve throughout a preparation," he said.
"He's a bull and a four-year-old now so there's a fair bit of him. But he's an athletic type as well."
Snowden said that although the field was small, he was relieved Russian Revolution did not draw one of the wider gates.
"To make his job a little bit easier I wanted to draw an inside barrier, which we got in four, and he just has to begin well and the race will free flow from there," Snowden said.
"It's only 1000 metres so they are not going to be thinking too much. We will be looking at Houtzen to be coming out wide and showing her customary speed so I don't think we'll be too far off them."