One-time Golden Slipper favourite Rubick is out of the $3.5 million race but stablemate Tetsuko has kept herself in the running for a start with a determined victory at Randwick.

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Trainer Gerald Ryan confirmed Rubick had been sent for a break after he suffered his first defeat with a fourth to Earthquake in Saturday’s Blue Diamond Stakes.

“He went to the paddock this morning and he will stay out until May,” Ryan said.

“He’d had enough.”

While the autumn is over for Rubick, Tetsuko’s is just beginning.

The youngster showed enough ability at the early-season trials to start favourite in the Gimcrack Stakes last spring, finishing runner-up to Alpha Miss after leading.

She was immediately spelled with a view to teaching her to settle before her seasonal return.

Tetsuko did that on Wednesday, taking a sit behind the speed and angling clear to overpower leader Sheezalady and claim the Big Sports Breakfast Plate (1100m) by a half length.

“Early on she was a little mad runner. This time we have taught her to settle,” Ryan said.

“It was good to see her get cover and find the line.

“She’s in all the big races. I don’t know whether she’s made huge improvement since the spring but we’ll poke along and see how we go.”

Ryan named the Group Two Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on March 15, three weeks before the Golden Slipper, as Tetsuko’s next target.

Amicus caught the eye storming home late for third while Metamere, heavily backed from $2.80 to start $2 favourite, disappointed with a weakening ninth.

David Payne was in the winners’ circle with Brisbane winter carnival hopeful Laser Flash at the Randwick-Kensington meeting but his focus quickly turned to Saturday’s Australian Guineas at Flemington.

Criterion, a first-up fourth in the CS Hayes Stakes and fifth pick in the market, drew gate four and Rock Hero barrier 10 with Payne declaring the latter untapped.

“Criterion has been there and done it and he ran a good race the other day,” Payne said.

“The other horse is unknown. He just keeps improving.”