The ever-evolving spring racing schedule has diminished the status of the San Domenico Stakes, according to trainer Gerald Ryan.

Ryan, who will start filly Ygritte and untapped colt Washington Heights in Saturday’s renewal of the Group Three contest, has questioned whether the revamped race holds the same importance as past years when it was widely used as a carnival starting point for Sydney’s top three-year-olds.

Until three years ago, the San Domenico was run over 1000m at Randwick.

The $125,000 race is now held over 1100m at Rosehill and buried amid lead-up races to the Group One Golden Rose.

It also competes with two three-year-old features in Melbourne on the same day, the Vain Stakes for the colts and geldings and Quezette Stakes for fillies.

“The San Domenico used to be regarded as the kick off for the stars of the spring,” Ryan said.

“It hasn’t gone up in stakes money. I don’t know if they would have had a better field or not but it doesn’t add up to me.

“You can win a Saturday race for three-year-olds in town and win $50,000 and get the BOBS (bonus) on top. You win $75,000 here and cop a penalty because you win a Group Three and you don’t get any BOBS.

“The races in Melbourne are worth $150,000 and they’re Group Threes as well.”

A field of nine will contest the San Domenico while the Vain and Quezette Stakes have 12 runners apiece.

Both Ygritte and Washington Heights resume in the Sydney feature and while Ryan says the pair are forward enough to be competitive, their main goals are later in the spring over longer distances.

Ygritte, who hasn’t finished further back than second in four starts, is nominated for the Thousand Guineas.

Washington Heights, Group Three placed at his only appearance in April, has been entered for the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate.

Gai Waterhouse has two San Domenico runners in Wandjina and Hampton Court while Hawkes Racing is also dually represented in Nostradamus and Bugatty.