Group I winner Russian Revolution returns to Melbourne a seasoned traveller for his tilt at a first-up win in Saturday's Group II McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Russian Revolution won the Group III Vain Stakes (1100m) at his first trip to Melbourne last August before running a solid fourth to Flying Artie in the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington at his last Victorian run last November.
Russian Revolution subsequently won the Group I Galaxy during the Sydney autumn carnival before the entire closed his three-year-old season with a fourth in the Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said the travelling helped the son of Snitzel settle in well to the team's Melbourne satellite stable at Flemington.
"He's a little bit older and he has had a tendency to get a bit above himself in the yard pre-race but I think he's handling things a lot better now," Snowden, who trains Russian Revolution in partnership with his father Peter, said.
"With the trip down to Melbourne last prep and he's gone to Brisbane, he's been tripped around a bit and he's settled in very well."
Russian Revolution headed to Moonee Valley for a hit-out on Tuesday morning where he worked solo over 800m, completing the gallop in 55.2 seconds and running home his last 400 in 23.99 seconds.
"He was on the right leg all the way here (Moonee Valley) and he never changed stride one bit so it's very good," Snowden said.
"We thought it was important to come over here and have a look around here because there's not another track that is like this and it's a bit daunting when they're here."
The McEwen Stakes will be the first of two confirmed Moonee Valley runs for Russian Revolution, who Snowden said was in the Everest picture if things went his way.
"I've said with all our horses for that race (the Everest), if they are winning it will take care of itself," Snowden said.
"It is a good starting point for him and it gives him a three-week break into the Moir and then if, all going well he'll be up there, but if not, he can stick around here and have a freshen-up for going down the straight."
Mark Zahra rode Russian Revolution in his gallop at the Valley and will be aboard the sprinter in the McEwen Stakes in which he is a $3 equal favourite in Ladbrokes' all-in market.
