For much of the past year trainer Ed Walker regarded Ruscello as an under-achiever.

But he did his best to repair that reputation when he ran a slashing race at his first Australian start, finishing a close second to Backbone at Caulfield last month with a performance that has prompted Walker to call for an even better effort in Saturday's Group Three Lexus Stakes.

"He probably hadn't lived up to his potential," Walker said.

"But he came here and ran a great race first time out in Australia. Now he needs to do even more."

Ruscello is bidding to give his Australian owners, the OTI Syndicate, the first leg of a winning double at Flemington they hope will be completed by Pakal in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes.

The five-year-old has drawn wide in the Lexus but Walker sees the gate as a lesser problem than those Ruscello has already overcome since leaving his Newmarket stable a month ago.

"He lost about 23 kilograms on the trip out which is quite a lot," Walker said.

"But he put it back on quick enough for us to take our chances at Caulfield the other week."

The trainer blamed a wide barrier for the horse's defeat in that race but is hopeful the roomier Flemington track will help him get some cover.

"The draw is a pain, but he's in great shape so we're very hopeful."

Among those who will cheer the loudest for Ruscello will be English owner Nick Peacock whose horse Simenon shares a barn with him at Werribee where the international runners are housed.

Simenon is now assured of a Melbourne Cup start, moving up to 22 in the order of entry with Friday's scratching of New Zealand mare Silent Achiever.

But Ruscello is unlikely to take advantage of the free entry into the Cup.

"He would need to run a lifetime best to win the Lexus," Walker said.

"If he did that it would be a bit unfair to ask him to do the same again in an even tougher race three days later."