Liberation's antics have cost him his chance in the spring features and hampered the cause of several others.

The colt veered wide in Saturday's Up and Coming Stakes at Randwick, forcing Valentia, Better Land, and Meursault towards the outside rail.

While Liberation was causing havoc, the Paul Messara-trained duo Scissor Kick and Panzer Division came up the inside away from the trouble and were locked together in a photo finish for first with the former getting the decision.

Liberation was third across the line but relegated to fifth after successful protests by the jockeys of Valentia and Better Land.

Better Land's jockey Glyn Schofield was adamant the favourite should have won and his fourth place leaves him well down the order for the $1 million Golden Rose on September 13.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse will recommend to Liberation's owners that he be spelled and gelded.

There were no traffic problems for Better Land's Peter Moody-trained stablemate Bring Me The Maid who took out the Silver Shadow Stakes.

Her win has elevated her to the top of the TAB's market for the Golden Rose (1400m) at $6 alongside Almalad who runs in Saturday's Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m).

Unbeaten in three starts including the Group One J J Atkins, the Waterhouse-trained Almalad is on a path to the Cox Plate.

"He runs in the Run To The Rose, the Golden Rose and the Caulfield Guineas on his way to the Cox Plate," Waterhouse said.

"He is a very, very exciting colt."

Moody now has to decide whether to give Better Land another start to try to get him into the Golden Rose or adjust his spring program.

Better Land sits on the third line of Golden Rose betting at $11 with Sarajevo and Washington Heights.

Godolphin's Sarajevo is another needing a prize money boost to book a Golden Rose berth as is Washington Heights.

J J Atkins runner-up Brazen Beau and Nostradamus, who beat Better Land in the Listed Rosebud, are joint second picks for the Golden Rose at $8.

Brazen Beau will be joined by his Chris Waller-trained stablemates Law and Sniper Fire in the Run To The Rose.