Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino has been withdrawn from the Coronation Cup at Epsom to be saved for Royal Ascot.

Trainer Marco Botti said the seven-year-old, who is owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, needs a little more time.

Instead of lining up in Saturday's race, Dandino will be aimed at the Hardwicke Stakes in which he finished a close second to Thomas Chippendale last year.

"He worked well on Saturday but he needs a few more weeks," Botti said.

"The Hardwicke is the plan as we know he handles the track well. He ran very well in last year's renewal and won the King George V Stakes there in 2010.

"He is a good ground horse and does not mind fast ground either.

"I do not want to start him out on soft and the extra few weeks will do him the world of good."

Dandino, winner of the 2013 American St Leger before his second to Fawkner in the Caulfield Cup, has not raced since his fifth in the Melbourne Cup after getting shuffled back early.

He made up a lot of ground to finish 3-1/2 lengths from the winner Fiorente and his connections are keen for him to return this year.