diff --git a/samples/samples/backup_sample.py b/samples/samples/backup_sample.py
index 4b2001a0e6..d22530c735 100644
--- a/samples/samples/backup_sample.py
+++ b/samples/samples/backup_sample.py
@@ -198,9 +198,9 @@ def list_backup_operations(instance_id, database_id):
 
     # List the CreateBackup operations.
     filter_ = (
-        "(metadata.database:{}) AND "
         "(metadata.@type:type.googleapis.com/"
-        "google.spanner.admin.database.v1.CreateBackupMetadata)"
+        "google.spanner.admin.database.v1.CreateBackupMetadata) "
+        "AND (metadata.database:{})"
     ).format(database_id)
     operations = instance.list_backup_operations(filter_=filter_)
     for op in operations:
diff --git a/tests/system/conftest.py b/tests/system/conftest.py
index 3a8c973f1b..7e74725189 100644
--- a/tests/system/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/system/conftest.py
@@ -93,7 +93,11 @@ def instance_config(instance_configs):
     if not instance_configs:
         raise ValueError("No instance configs found.")
 
-    yield instance_configs[0]
+    us_west1_config = [
+        config for config in instance_configs if config.display_name == "us-west1"
+    ]
+    config = us_west1_config[0] if len(us_west1_config) > 0 else instance_configs[0]
+    yield config
 
 
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
diff --git a/tests/system/test_backup_api.py b/tests/system/test_backup_api.py
index de521775d4..77ffca0f44 100644
--- a/tests/system/test_backup_api.py
+++ b/tests/system/test_backup_api.py
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ def same_config_instance(spanner_client, shared_instance, instance_operation_tim
 @pytest.fixture(scope="session")
 def diff_config(shared_instance, instance_configs):
     current_config = shared_instance.configuration_name
-    for config in instance_configs:
+    for config in reversed(instance_configs):
         if "-us-" in config.name and config.name != current_config:
             return config.name
     return None