The knowledge that comes from riding racehorses for the best part of 60 years has told Pat Hyland to wait a couple of weeks before he begins the Doncaster Mile camapign of his best horse, Shanghai Warrior.

Shanghai Warrior emerged in the early spring as a likely top-level contender, winning the Group Three Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.

"I didn't have any doubt he was a Group One horse when he came into work last spring," said the former top-line jockey.

"And I still don't."

Shanghai Warrior picked up a virus and disappointed in two starts after the Aurie's Star, forcing the postponment of his attempt at a spring feature race.

While his spring ambitions failed to materialise, Hyland, 71, remains confident it is only a matter of time before Shanghai Warrior fulfils his potential despite this week's minor change of plans.

Hyland had entered Shanghai Warrior for the Listed Kensington Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday, a race that appealed as an ideal re-introduction to racing.

But the return will now be delayed until next month, probably at Caulfield.

"He just took a bit longer than I would have liked to recover after I worked him today," he said after riding him in his work on Tuesday.

"There was nothing wrong with his work, he's just not quite as forward as I wanted.

"But there's no problem, there are plenty of races.

"And with a horse as good as him, you've got to look after them."

The race that interests Hyland most is the $2 million Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 20.

Shanghai Warrior should get into the Doncaster with a handy weight and the 1600m should suit him perfectly.

If for any reason Shanghai Warrior misses the Sydney autumn carnival, Hyland is entertaining plans for a Brisbane winter.

"There's a few races up there that would suit him," he said.

"With the ability I know this horse has there's there's plenty of choices."