The search for a suitable first-up race for Capital Commander has led Canberra trainer Nick Olive to Melbourne, and a track where he has long wanted to run the mare.

Stakes placed Capital Commander resumes in the Sportingbet Handicap (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday with Olive looking for the five-year-old to turn in a bold fresh showing.

Capital Commander hasn't won for 17 months but has a good first-up record with three wins from five attempts.

Her on-speed racing style was definitely a factor in the trainer wanting to race the mare at the unique circuit.

"I've always had in the back of my mind to take her to Moonee Valley at some stage," Olive said.

"And she's down there now."

Olive had Capital Commander in a Listed race in Sydney last week but scratched her as he considered the Melbourne race against mares more winnable.

"I was just looking for a suitable race for her and I had her in the June Stakes last week but I just thought it would be too strong," he said.

"This was more suitable."

Capital Commander arrived in Melbourne on Friday morning for what will be her first race in the anti-clockwise direction.

Olive said the mare had done a lot of slow work that way of going at home and galloped nicely the `Melbourne way' on Tuesday morning.

"She normally runs a fantastic race first-up," Olive said.

"There's a few variables this time, including racing the Melbourne way for the first time, but she's travelled well and fingers crossed it all comes to fruition.

"I'm really happy with the way she's going."

Capital Commander is on the fourth line of betting with the Mark Webb-trained Johannapine favourite just ahead of last start Caulfield winner Royal Bender.

The Moonee Valley surface has had 31mm of rain for the week including 8.5mm in the 24 hours until Friday morning but with dry conditions during the day the track is expected to remain in the slow range.