Houtzen’s Russian foe

GROUP 1 winner Russian Revolution has been installed the early favourite for the McEwen Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday and will get a look at the course in a gallop ahead of the Group 2 sprint.

Russian Revolution, like Gold Coast star and fellow McEwen Stakes entrant Houtzen, were set to gallop at the Valley this morning.

Nominations for the McEwen Stakes were extended until today with the 10 initial entries including last-start Carlyon Stakes winner Missrock, Heatherly and Supido.

Russian Revolution, winner of The Galaxy at Rosehill in March, is the early $2.90 favourite for the 1000m sprint ahead of Houtzen at $3.50 and Heatherly and Hellbent at $6.50.

Group 1-winning stablemates Bonneval and Lizzie L’Amour are also scheduled to work at Moonee Valley today, with the New Zealand pair entered to make their first Melbourne spring carnival appearances in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes on Saturday.

The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained mares are among 13 nominations for the Group 2 1600m weight-for-age race.