The way imported stayer Swacadelic has come out of his Warrnambool Cup placing has convinced trainer Aaron Purcell to press on to an off-season staying feature at Flemington.

Swacadelic returns to the scene of his most recent win when he runs in Saturday's Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes.

The German import won over 2530m at Flemington two starts ago before finishing third in the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) on his home track.

"He's been up a while and if he hadn't have pulled up OK after the Warrnambool Cup I would have probably spelled him," Purcell said.

Purcell said Swacadelic raced as well as could be expected in the Warrnambool Cup, carrying equal top weight in the heavy going and covering ground.

"He's definitely going as well at the moment as he has at any stage since I've had him, and I'm expecting him to run another good race."

Purcell said Swacadelic is a horse with a tricky attitude and was gelded after arriving in Australia because he was hard to handle.

He credits his work riders for getting the horse going.

"He seems to be enjoying his racing now," Purcell said.

Swacadelic was fifth in the Group Two Adelaide Cup over 3200m in March and Purcell says the distance is not an issue, especially from barrier two where he should get a cheap run with cover.

De Little Engine has assumed favouritism at $4.20 ahead of last-start Flemington winner Lucky Lucky Lucky, while Swacadelic is at $12.