A step down in grade and another up in distance gives Jacquinot Bay the chance to return to the winners' list and determine his path over the coming months.

Trainer Guy Walter is keeping a lid on expectations for the lightly raced six-year-old who came up short in the Group Three Doncaster Prelude last autumn won by his stablemate Skyerush.

He was given a long spell and has had two starts this preparation for fifth in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) and seventh in the Listed Razor Sharp (1150m).

Jacquinot Bay steps up to 1400m at Rosehill on Saturday in the Schweppes Handicap, a benchmark 95, and will be ridden for the first time by the in-form Peter Robl.

"He's had a three-week break and the 1400 metres suits him," Walter said.

"And he's going back to a benchmark 95 although it is a pretty strong race.

"I want to see him winning again before we set any goals for him. We may have aimed a bit high last time."

Jacquinot Bay didn't begin racing until late in his four-year-old season and strung together six wins from his first seven starts, prompting thoughts of a Doncaster campaign last year.

Like he has with Jacquinot Bay, Walter is taking a cautious approach with Darley mare Zauberflote but is enthusiastic about her campaign after her winning return over stablemate Fantastic Ballad at Warwick Farm last month.

"She is a very, very good mare with a good winning record," he said.

"She goes up from 1200 to 1350 metres but she does have to carry her share of weight."

The winner of four of her 10 starts, Zauberflote has 58kg in the benchmark 75 with Blake Shinn to ride.