There are six group 1s in Sydney for the spring from September to the second week of October, while in the same period there are nine in Melbourne. Three Melbourne races, the Memsie Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes and Moir Stakes were given group 1 status in 2013. The Golden Rose, in 2009,  was the last spring group 1 to get an upgrade in Sydney.

Trainers like to keep their stars at home in their routine for as long as possible. But they also have to consider what is best for their stable in terms of prizemoney and prestige.

There is little doubt an 1800m or 2000m group 1 weight-for-age race at Randwick this Saturday would have attracted Winx and Hartnell. Instead, both will head to Melbourne. Hartnell will run in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on Sunday.

"He has earned his shot at a group 1 and there is not one in Sydney for him," Godolphin trainer John O'Shea said. "The 2000 metres is perfect for him and I think Flemington will really suit him."

Chris Waller has planned Winx's campaign to stay at the top level, with the Caulfield Stakes  the traditional lead-up to the Cox Plate.

"She could easily run in the [group 3] Craven Plate but it is not a group 1, so we didn't look at it," Waller said.

There is no group 1 sprint in Sydney for the spring, so trainers focus completely on Melbourne. Friday's Moir Stakes should be a cracker, featuring the return of Chautauqua, Blue Diamond winner Extreme Choice and the evergreen Buffering,  a three-time winner of the race.

Roman Consul undervalued

That said, there are three group 1s at Randwick on Saturday and the Roman Consul Stakes, which should be a group 1. The possible line-up includes Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Golden Rose victor Astern and powerful colt Star Turn, which won the San Domenico Stakes and was runner-up in the Run To The Rose.

Every year  this race attracts the best three-year-old sprinters in the country, yet fails to measure up to a rating that allows it to get top-level status. The international rating is done on the first four across the line, but like the Hill Stakes and Golden Pendant, the Roman Consul seems to get undervalued when the ratings are done.

Son knows best

There are four words Peter Snowden is getting used to saying when Tycoon Tara races - "I told you so."

The Written Tycoon mare made it three wins from four starts for the father-and-son team of Peter and Paul Snowden in the Golden Pendant, but she is only in the stable because of Paul's persistence.

"We weren't taking any horses at the time because we were full but Paul kept saying we need to take this horse, I looked at the form and just said why," Peter Snowden said. Paul got his way and added "Don't worry, I keep reminding him of it."

Paying the price

There is an interesting local rule in Melbourne whereby horses that are scratched with a vet's certificate attract a fee that, if not paid, results in the horse being stood down for 30 days. Any trainer who forgets to pay the fee could have their horse ruled out for the spring.