When Trevor McIlrick trained his last city winner before Got The Goss confirmed his promise at Warwick Farm, Mick Dittman and Shane Dye were still plying their trade in Sydney.

And because the offers to buy Got The Goss have been more applicable to a golden era in the Sydney jockeys' room in the 1990s rather than keeping pace with today's inflation rates, McIlrick seems certain to have more metropolitan success with the three-year-old.

"When he won a barrier trial at Canberra by eight lengths they (bloodstock agents) were straight on the phone but the owners knocked them back because the money wasn't good enough," McIlrick said.

"They were trying to steal him is what it came down to and it's good for me the owners have decided to keep him."

Got The Goss, the well-tried $2.30 favourite, overcame a moderate tempo to take his record to five wins from six starts in the Australian Turf Club Handicap (1300m) on Wednesday.

Forced to come from last, Got The Goss worked his way into the race from the 450m, levelled up to the runner-up El Sasso ($10) at the 100m and then drew clear under apprentice John Kissick to score by 1-1/4 lengths.

The win justified McIlrick's decision to skip the Brian Crowley Stakes while giving him a city result that is well overdue.

"My last winner in Sydney was that long ago I can't remember," McIlrick said.

"It was when Mick Dittman was riding here and Shane Dye was still here. That's how long ago it was."

Got The Goss' only defeat came at Canterbury in early winter and he is unbeaten in three runs since returning to racing.

"The last time he came down it was at the end of a long preparation after a hard run at Wagga," McIlrick said.

Kissick said what Got The Goss lacked in race sense, he more than made up for with a brand of acceleration only reserved for horses on the move.

"He's just very green and new and he was having a look around but what a turn of foot (he's got)," Kissick said.

Kissick hopes the win will be the start of a run of form as he continues a stint with Sydney's leading trainer Chris Waller.