A winner first-up on the Parks beating Cool Magnum, Chicago Storm beat home all but Lord Valdivostok last start and trainer David Aldridge said Saturday's race fitted perfectly heading towards their hometown feature.

"He's coming along nicely,'' Aldridge said.

"The Murray Bridge Cup is obviously his goal, he's untried at the mile, but if you don't try, you won't find out,'' he said.

Chicago Storm boasts a solid record around the Parks, where he has three wins and four placings from his seven starts, which is coupled with a middle gate and Jason Holder in the saddle.

But Aldridge is confident the horse will come into his own on a bigger track like Murray Bridge.

"He's been around the Parks a lot and we've always had to ride him accordingly,'' Aldridge said.

"He can switch off in his races when he hits the front.

"I think the horse is a better chaser and a race like the Murray Bridge Cup where he can be ridden differently and get back and run on should be ideal,'' he said.

The race also sees the return to racing of talented mare En Francais who hasn't raced since the Group 2 Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley, while South-East stayer Clever Man kicks off his spring campaign.