Trainer Colin Little has set his sights on winning a three-year-old race at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival with Vassilator.

It's not the main three-year-old prize, the Group One Victoria Derby, but a shorter race run on the same day.

The Group Three Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Saturday became Little's focus after Vassilator's second to The Autumn Sun in the Caulfield Guineas.

Vassilator was a $101 chance when beaten by The Autumn Sun on October 13.

Little sent Vassilator to the paddock for a short rest after that run resisting the temptation of the Derby.

"He had a week in the paddock and did really well so he's off to the Carbine," Little said.

"He's not ready to run in Derby," Little said.

"He's got the potential to win a Group One but needs more time.

"Hopefully next autumn that could be the case."

Vassilator has raced three times at Flemington, winning twice over 1400m in April and May.

His only other performance was over the straight 1200m-course when seventh in the Group Two Danehill Stakes, in September.

The Chris Waller-trained The Autumn Sun is having a spell after bringing up his third Group One win in the Guineas which has propelled him to favouritism for next year's Cox Plate, a race won on Saturday for the fourth time by his stablemate Winx.