The two Johnny Murtagh-trained runners in this year's Melbourne Cup have remained in Australia, at least for the time being.

Mutual Regard and Royal Diamond, which finished 14th and 20th respectively in the Melbourne Cup, are spelling ahead of their return to training for Caulfield trainer John Sadler.

But only Royal Diamond will stay on with Sadler as the nine-year-old prepares for next year's Sydney Cup.

Mutual Regard will be pre-trained by Sadler before joining Murtagh in Dubai for the Dubai Gold Cup on March 28.

Sadler said the stablemates were enjoying a well-earned break following their Melbourne Cup campaigns.

He said Mutual Regard was no more than a fortnight away from returning to work while Royal Diamond would enjoy a longer break.

"The plan with Mutual Regard was to leave him here for a break instead of going back to Ireland," Sadler said.

"He's spelling in the warmer weather and he'll probably come back to us in a couple of weeks.

"We'll potter around with him and then send him to Johnny in Dubai."

Sadler said Royal Diamond would be prepared for the Sydney Cup with the trainer hoping for a wet track.

He said he's not expecting Royal Diamond to be back in his stable for another three or four weeks.

"He could be suited in a race like the Sydney Cup," Sadler said.

"I would say another three or four weeks and then we'll bring him back in and get him ready and I would like some wintry tracks for him."