A lack of a suitable lead up-race for smart colt Wicked Intent is trainer Chris Munce's main concern going into the Group Three Ken Russell Memorial.

Munce retired as a jockey to take up training after finishing sixth on Wicked Intent in the Magic Millions Classic on January 10.

He won nearly every feature race at the Gold Coast during his career in the saddle and he hopes the track can provide him with his first stakes victory as a trainer on Saturday.

"I have always had a soft spot for the track as I cut my teeth there as an apprentice," Munce said.

Wicked Intent has been back in work for two months and Munce hopes he is ready to win.

The colt is likely to follow a traditional two-year-old path during the winter carnival.

"But if he shows us he can't run the 1600 metres of the JJ Atkins we might put him away for the spring," Munce said.

Munce will also saddle up Perplexity in the Group Three Chairman's Handicap (2200m) on Saturday.

Perplexity has won two of his past three starts including a 2200m victory at the Gold Coast.