A spring campaign used to test the stamina of Zipping Classic hopeful Sertorius is almost certain to shape the stayer's autumn schedule.

And if Sertorius can add to his reputation as a horse on the move at Caulfield on Saturday, there could be richer purses on offer in the new year.

Six-year-old Sertorius is joint favourite Group Two Zipping Classic at Caulfield after winning the Listed Bendigo Cup and finishing a close second to Precedence in last Saturday's Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Jamie Edwards, who trains Sertorius in partnership with Bruce Elkington, said they had been patient enough with the horse to expect the next 12 months to be the stayer's best.

The $350,000 Zipping Classic presents as the stiffest test Sertorius' career.

"This preparation was all about finding out how good he was and I think he's proven he's a genuine Group Two, Group Three horse this time in," Edwards said.

"Hopefully we can raise the bar again in the autumn and he'll probably get a crack at some Group One races at some stage."

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) in Sydney in April received a huge boost this week with the announcement the race would be worth $4 million.

But Edwards believes that could deliver an opportunity for a horse like Sertorius to chase other Group One purses.

"With the massive increase in prizemoney going into Sydney, it might draw a couple of horses away from the Melbourne autumn staying races," he said.

"(And) it might just leave The BMW a little bit vulnerable up there, so that may be a race that might be worthwhile us targeting."

Edwards says Sertorius "hasn't gone backwards" since his narrow defeat last Saturday and hopes he can enjoy the run of the race for the inside gate.

He believes the Zipping Classic looms as a battle between Queenstown, New Zealand Group One winner Ransomed, Precedence and Sertorius.

The trainer admits Precedence meets Sertorius better at the weights, but is hoping the Bart and James Cummings-trained stayer might race more dour on a quick back-up.