Jessica Hull sees no reason to temper expectations for the host nation's star-studded mixed relay team at the world cross country championships in Bathurst.
Benita Willis's remarkable triumph in the women' individual long-course race in 2004 remains Australia's only gold at a championships which has been dominated by the east African powerhouses for the past 40 years.
Kenya and Ethiopia - winners of the only two previous 2km mixed relays in 2017 and 2019 - will fancy their chances again, as they always do.
But a stacked Australian team of Hull, Abbey Caldwell, Stewart McSweyn and Ollie Hoare have plenty going for them on a course which World Athletics boss Sebastian Coe says is the toughest ever produced for a world cross country meet.
"A podium finish would be great, but I think you have to capitalise on the moment," said Hull, a multiple Australian record holder on the track who also has a strong cross country pedigree dating back to her junior days and college career in the US.
"I think we would be silly to not be aiming for gold right now.
"We have the home crowd here cheering for us, we have the pieces in place with four incredible athltes.
"If we just focus on doing our own legs and doing our own jobs we will be happy with the result.
"But I think we have a big shot at that top of the podium."
Commonwealth 1500m champion Hoare will run the lead-off leg, to be followed by Hull, McSweyn and anchor runner Caldwell, the surprise 1500m bronze medallist at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
"I trust Olli to get us off to a fantastic start and then I've just got to hold it," Hull told AAP.
"You read the race, you read the situation.
"You have to be flexible, but once you have that race plan, the most important thing is not getting emotional with the crowd.
"Stay in your head and execute your race.
"The course is tough so if you go too hard too early you will suffer, even in a 2K."
Hoare brings excellent recent form into Saturday's race, having equalled his national indoor mile record last weekend at the Millrose Games in New York.
"A relay is a different thing for middle-distance runners, we don't usually experience being part of a team, which will be great," said Hoare.
"And then there's the physical aspect of cross country and I think it's something Jess, Abbey, Stewy and I all cope with well.
"We know we have Australia behind us."
Steeplechase specialists Mekides Abebe and Getnet Wale headline Ethiopia's squad and it's a similar tale for Kenya, whose lineup includes world record holder Beatrice Chepkoech.
Australia will also field full squads of six in the men's and women's 10km individual races on the purpose-built course located inside the famed Mt Panorama motor racing circuit.
Trials winner Jack Rayner and national marathon record holder Brett Robinson head the men's squad, while there are high hopes for Rose Davies and Leanne Pompeani are in the women's race.
