Moments after a bulked-up Criterion kicked off his spring campaign with an eye-catching third in a Rosehill barrier trial on Monday, Payne said the fact the Warwick Stakes had left south-western Sydney had influenced his decision.

"The Warwick Stakes most probably will be the starting point for him," said Payne, who was also tossing up the Memsie Stakes in Melbourne as a campaign starter. "I wouldn't have taken him to Warwick Farm if the race was where it used to be, and I think Randwick will suit him very well."

Warwick Farm trainers have lamented the Australian Turf Club's decision to shift the group 2 race on August 23. It is believed the decision was made in a bid to increase turnover and attendance for the meeting. But Payne said he was only too happy with the switch, providing the Cox Plate-bound Criterion a 1400-metre launching pad before the Melbourne carnival.

Criterion quickened nicely under Jeff Lloyd to finish third behind Reply Churlish in 1030m trial on his home track, but it is what he did during his break that pleased Payne most.

"We didn't want him to do too much [in the trial]," Payne said. "If you looked at him before, he was really narrow, but he's bulked up during his break."

Added Lloyd: "He's come back really well, his best work was late and he's moving really well."

Payne will also have the services of the lightly raced Terrubi to aim at the big spring features after Australian Bloodstock picked up another European import for its cups arsenal.

Terrubi has not missed a place in nine career starts and beat Brown Panther in a group-2 feature over 2800m at Longchamp last week.

"[Jockey] Christophe [Soumillon] was very bullish about this horse before the race and it was good to see him win with such authority," Australian Bloodstock's Jamie Lovett said.

Terrubi's imminent arrival in Australia comes shortly after Australian Bloodstock bought German staying star Singing, to be aimed at the Caulfield Cup by Kris Lees.

In all, six group 1 winners stepped out at Rosehill on Monday, with no less than four victors at the top level featuring in the first heat.

Team Hawkes' Angel Bee upstaged her more fancied rivals, but Chris Waller received glowing reports from the riders of his top spring hopes.

Tommy Berry, who will make his return to race riding in Sydney at Canterbury on Wednesday, said two-time Doncaster winner Sacred Falls was still capable of trumping his autumn feats.

"He's come back a bit stronger than what he was last prep and every prep he's had with Chris he's come back a tad stronger each time," Berry said.

"I'm happy with the way he's come back and I think he can improve on what he's done. I know two Doncasters is hard to improve on, but he's got unfinished business over the spring and I think he can conquer it this preparation."

Brenton Avdulla said Epsom-bound Messene felt "really good", while the horse who holds the crown over the famous Randwick mile, Boban, was not pressured when seventh under Glyn Schofield.

"He's come back well and feels really good," Schofield said. "We've had a dry winter, so I'm hoping we're not going to have a wet spring. He's very finicky, but he looks to have strengthened a fair bit during his break."