Complicate earned a comparison with a Group One-winning former stablemate after claiming the Canberra Guineas but it won't be enough to elevate him into the serious part of Darley's autumn team.

Instead, trainer Peter Snowden will be happy to skirt around the edges of the Sydney carnival and Complicate will be saved for a more thorough campaign towards the back end of the racing season.

"He will probably have a breather now," Snowden said.

"The A grade races are coming up in Sydney but he's not there yet."

It is the same measured approach Snowden took last year with Mental, a horse who raced with success during the Brisbane winter before returning to nab the Group One Patinack Farm Classic at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival.

"He reminds me a bit of Mental," Snowden said. "I'll probably look at the Hawkesbury Guineas at the end of the carnival and then possibly take him to Brisbane."

Taking up the lead from a wide draw, Complicate travelled smoothly to the turn and offered a kick that helped him set up a winning lead inside the final 200m.

It was left to Ashokan to do the chasing but he conceded three-quarters of a length at the post with Brave Soul making ground in an eye-catching return to form to finish a length away third.

Earlier, Sydney sprinter Shamus shared the spoils with Queanbeyan speedster Diamond To Pegasus in the Camarena Quality Handicap.

After an extended delay, the judge couldn't separate them with Shamus trying to hang on as Diamond To Pegasus unwound from the back.

There was a delay on correct weight when Diamond To Pegasus' connections protested against the judge's decision but the subsequent stewards' hearing was extended when trainer Joe Pride insisted Shamus had won.