Less Is More needs to win the last lead-in to the Metropolitan for David Vandyke to at least consider starting the import in biggest staying race of the Sydney spring.

Less Is More is vying for favouritism in the Colin Stephen Quality - a traditional warm-up race for the Group One Metropolitan - at Rosehill on Saturday.

But Vandyke, who also trains the Metropolitan favourite Prince Cheri, says having two runners in the $400,000 race isn't a necessity.

"Less Is More is certainly not running in the Colin Stephen as a lead-up to the Metropolitan," Vandyke said.

"The main goal for him in Sydney has always been Saturday's race and he'd have to win for us to consider the Metropolitan."

Less Is More stretches out to 2400m for the first time since he ran midfield in the Brisbane Cup in June.

Vandyke admits he has been in two minds about Less Is More running out a strong 2400m but he is backing the foundation laid by four runs this time to play a part.

"He's had a much more solid preparation going into this race than he did going into the Brisbane Cup," Vandyke said.

"I think he will perform better than he did back then and as such I think he will be hard to beat."

Less Is More is ahead of Julienas in latest Metropolitan markets but the latter is favourite to win the Colin Stephen.

Julienas beat Less Is More for the minor placing when Prince Cheri won the Kingston Town Stakes and the Gai Waterhouse stayer is a $3.60 pick to make up for his second placing to Kelinni in last year's race.

Polish Knight, I'm Imposing, Lunayir and Planet Purple are other Metropolitan entries down to run in the Colin Stephen.