Trainer Steven Burridge will be testing the water with promising four-year-old Russian Safari when he lines-up in the Group 2 $300,000 Singapore Derby Trial over 1600m on Sunday.

Burridge said he would get a good idea of where the New Zealand-bred gelding was placed after he takes on the likes of Top Spin, Ace And Aces, Phenom, Fantastic Owners, Zizou and Stedman on Sunday.

“I hope he can measure up,” said Burridge. “Sunday will tell us where he’s at. He’s still pretty green but he’s got a lot of ability.

“I still think he’s about six months away from being near his top, but he’s in good form and deserves his chance at this company.”

Russian Safari shows his winning style under Matt Kellady on May 31.

Russian Safari came to Singapore as the winner of his only start in New Zealand and has impressed locals in just his four starts, which has resulted in two victories at his past two outings.

The son of St. Petersburg recorded a slick 1.35.0 when he downed the highly promising Dylan over 1600m on May 2 in Novice grade before scoring on a yielding surface over Mighty Servant by two lengths in a 1600m Class 3 on May 31.

“He won his only start in New Zealand before he came up here and has excelled when he’s got up to the mile,” said Burridge. “He deserves his shot at the next stage.”

Providing he performs up to expectations, Russian Safari will then be aimed at the Group 1 $1million Emirates Singapore Derby over 2000m on July 13.

“The race is there and the owner would like to have a shot at it,” said Burridge. “You are only four once.

“He’s won twice over the mile and if he finishes in the money he’ll go on to the Derby. If not, we’ll have a re-think and drop him back to race through his classes,” he said.

Russian Safari will have his fourth rider in just his fifth Singapore outing. Danny Beasley has ridden the gelding on two occasions with Mark Ewe and Matt Kellady also being aboard the four-year-old.

Saimee Jumaat takes over the reins on Sunday after Kellady was successful aboard the gelding last time out.

“Saimee originally couldn’t take the ride, but when his mount wasn’t nominated he rang back for the ride,” said Burridge.

Russian Safari is not that well off under the set-weight conditions of Sunday’s race in which all runners carry 57kg.

The gelding has a ratings base of 70, which compared to Top Spin (110) and Ace And Aces (106) would seen him receiving plenty of weight from those two gallopers if the race was a handicap.