Godolphin colt Shards has announced himself as one of the stable's possible chances for the Golden Rose with victory in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes.

The three-year-old gave Godolphin its first stakes winner for the season on Saturday in a race previously won by star stallions Fastnet Rock, Exceed And Excel and Snitzel.

Shards ($3.60) sat third in the run before being called on at the 250m and accelerating to win from Voilier ($8) and the favourite Sebring Sun ($2.40) at Randwick.

Bookmakers firmed Shards from $50 to $15 for the Group One Golden Rose.

But trainer John O'Shea said no decision had been made on whether Shards would contest the $1 million race at Rosehill on September 12.

"We'll get him home and see how he is," O'Shea said.

"We've got some nice chances for the Golden Rose running next Saturday and we'll make an assessment after that.

O'Shea said Shards, a son of Medaglia D'Oro would benefit from a longer trip than the 1300m of the Up and Coming.

"He'll improve dramatically and as the races get longer up to a mile, I think he'll really come into his own," he said.

O'Shea reflected on the improved fortunes of the stable going into the spring carnival.

"This day last year was a quagmire, we weren't going that well and the horses raced accordingly," O'Shea said.

"Twelve months is a long time in racing. We've got a great team around us they're all in a good frame of mind and the horses are racing accordingly."

Jockey James McDonald found himself at the centre of an inquiry after shifting out in front of Kathy O'Hara's mount Cannyescent in the straight.

Sebring Sun missed the start and did well to make up the ground he did.

"If he jumps on terms he's right in it but you can't make that long a run," trainer Gary Portelli said.

"It's disappointing but the plan is to keep going to the Golden Rose."