Spillway has given trainer David Hayes a win in the final race of the Sydney autumn carnival and cemented Kerrin McEvoy as the leading rider.

Although his win on Appearance was his only Group One victory over the six weeks, McEvoy accumulated enough points to win the prestigious Golden Whip award.

A firmer from $26 to $16, Spillway rallied in the straight to win Saturday's Group Three JRA Plate (2000m) by 2-1/2 lengths from Danchai ($12) with Slow Pace ($8) another long head third.

Hayes, who earlier watched Zululand finish second in the Champagne Stakes, said he hoped English import Spillway would develop into a Caulfield Cup contender.

"I'm hoping he will be a Caulfield Cup horse and this win should take his rating up to 100 which it needs to be to get into the better races," Hayes said.

"I walked the track this morning and thought the outside was the best place so that's where I told Kerrin to go.

"I don't think we will see him again until the spring now."

McEvoy said he was thrilled to win the title after sharing it with Hugh Bowman a year ago.

"It's been a frustrating day," he said.

"But it's good to get this win and great to win the award."