Lessons learned have paved the way for Sertorius to take out the Easter Cup at Caulfield.

Sertorius had a strenuous autumn campaign 12 months ago in a six-run preparation which left the gelding flat for the spring.

But after returning to finish second in the Blamey Stakes and winning Saturday's Saturday's Group Three race over 2000m, Sertorius will return to the spelling paddock.

Ridden by Noel Callow, Sertorius, the $3.50 favourite, got up to score by a neck from Escado ($6) with Shoreham ($18) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

"We thought he hit his absolute prime in the autumn last year," co-trainer Jamie Edwards said.

"He ran second, third, fourth and fifth in Group Ones but was always a couple of lengths off them and it was too hard for him.

"This year we decided to target the Group Twos and Group Threes and he's won a Group Three today and if I'm realistic that's probably his grade."

Edwards said he held concerns when Sertorius was slow to begin and Callow had to urge him forward.

With regular rider Ryan Moloney on the sidelines through suspension, Callow, who completed a winning double, took the mount.

Edwards and Callow have had a long association, going back to when Edwards was a foreman for Mick Price and Callow was the stable apprentice.

Callow said he wanted to be a closer in the run but the gelding didn't begin that well.

"I rode him like a stayer," Callow said.

"I wanted to be one pair further forward so that's why I went and followed Escado into the race.

"I didn't want to get there too early otherwise we were beaten."

The Cleaner ($3.60) took up his customary role in front but was under pressure before the turn and faded in the straight to finish fifth.

Jockey Steven Arnold said some recent hard racing may be takings its toll.