European stayers are expected to land in Australia and win but for John Thompson the challenge with Jiayuguan has been a little more difficult.

The last three Melbourne Cup winners Protectionist, Fiorente and Green Moon are testament to the European domination of Australian staying races.

Trainer John Thompson says a run in the 1800m Listed Premier's Cup at Rosehill on Saturday will edge Jiayuguan closer to her suited trip.

"She's progressing up to the distances she needs to win, which is 2000m and beyond, and Saturday is another stepping stone to getting towards that," Thompson said.

The imported galloper was placed in Group company in France, but finished 4-1/2 lengths last in the Group Three Epona Stakes at Rosehill in March behind Scratchy Bottom and Cox Plate-bound Rising Romance during her first Australian campaign.

Thompson said the mare is still adjusting to life in Australia.

"She is still acclimatising, but she's in good enough shape to be running well through the spring," he said.

Jiayuguan is nominated for the Metropolitan Handicap at Randwick and the Caulfield Cup.

Thompson said she will need to prove she has recaptured her European form to race at the highest level.

"She's got to show she's up to that quality in Australia," he said.

"She's heading in the right direction and she's one that'll jump out of the ground once she gets to those longer distances."

The horse is raced by the China Horse Club and shares her name with a Chinese city on the edge of the Gobi Desert.

China Horse Club's most famous Thompson-trained horse, First Seal, has recovered from the foot abscess which ruled her out of the Warwick Stakes.

Thompson said provided the track isn't heavy, First Seal will have an exhibition gallop at Rosehill on Saturday before Tommy Berry rides her in the Group Two Tramway Stakes the following week.