Trainer James Cummings is expecting a slight rise in trip to suit Russians when she steps out at The Valley.
The Godolphin-owned filly will be lining up for her fourth race start on Saturday when she contests the Mitty’s Handicap (1500m).
Russians scored at her second start at Canterbury over 1250m in maiden grade on December 17 before Cummings and Godolphin decided to ship her south for a tilt at Caulfield.
The race did not pan out for Russians, with the filly beating only one runner home over the 1400m journey on January 8, after being last into the straight.
Cummings has called on a gear change for the filly while Damien Oliver, who rode the daughter of Medaglia D’oro at Caulfield will have the sit on the filly again on Saturday.
“Two starts ago, she won a maiden nicely up in Sydney then perhaps found the seven (1400m) at Caulfield a bit short,” Cummings said.
“A slightly further trip would suit, and the blinkers go on, which I think will suit also.”
Russian is rated a $7.50 chance in latest markets with TAB that sees Rioyuki as the $3 favourite ahead of Throntari at $3.60.
The three-year-old filly is the only runner Cummings and Godolphin has at The Valley with their main attention focussed on the return of Anamoe in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill.
Victorious in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Anamoe is having his first start since running second in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley.
