A pre-race plan worked to perfection with Russian Revolution in Saturday's Group II McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Mark Zahra settled Russian Revolution in second place on the quarters of Heatherly after 100m and then applied pressure around the home turn, with Russian Revolution ($3.40) proving too strong in the run home to defeat Heatherly ($7.50) by 1 1/4-lengths with Houtzen ($2.45 fav), racing in third place all the way, the same distance away.
Co-trainer Paul Snowden said it had been the intention to press forward with Russian Revolution at his first start over 1000m.
"He handled the track super when we galloped here Tuesday and the intention had always been to put him on the speed," Snowden said.
"We wanted to be on pace and if nothing else wanted we would have been happy to lead so it's all worked out pretty well.
"The plan came together and Mark rode him really well."
Winner of the Group I Galaxy on a heavy track last season, Snowden said the four-year-old son of Snitzel had furnished into a stronger horse.
"He's strengthened up really well which is a trait of the Snitzel stock and it has only been his pre-race manners which have let him down in the past," Snowden said.
"We've done some work with him on this and he's a bit older now and if he can continue to relax then it's only going to help him.
"He's got that nervous energy which we try and use positively."
Snowden said a place in The Everest next month was the goal for Russian Revolution.
"We specifically targeted this race as a lead-up to the Moir Stakes in a couple of weeks time," Snowden said.
"A spot in the Everest is the ultimate aim and we thought if we brought him down here and showed him off it would help.
"If we got a place in The Everest the Moir will be a crucial lead-up so we'll just see how things play out."
