There are no regrets from the Southern Speed camp about missing the Caulfield Cup with the focus now firmly on the Cox Plate.

The decision not to send the mare out to defend the Caulfield Cup was made on Friday and trainer Leon Macdonald said in hindsight it was the right one.

She now goes to Moonee Valley on Saturday for Australasia's weight-for-age championship with Luke Nolen her new pilot.

Saturday's Caulfield Cup was won by last year's Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in an awesome display of talent by both the horse and his rider Craig Williams.

"It was the right decision," Macdonald said.

"I don't think she would have won from the barrier. She would have been battling to get a decent position in the race

"And the way Dunaden won, well that's another thing.

"She's fit and well and we'll go to the Cox Plate and I just hope she doesn't draw barrier 14 again."

Southern Speed hit a career low in the Turnbull Stakes when she beat just one runner home after jumping from what is becoming the dreaded 14 gate.

The mare will not go to Moonee Valley on Tuesday morning where many other big-race hopefuls will be put through their paces ahead of the weekend's double header at the track.

The Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) will be run under lights for the first time on Friday night with the Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday.

"She doesn't need to go there, she has been there before," Macdonald said.

"Everything is in order and we have Luke Nolen so that's a plus."

Three-year-old Pierro, who had his colours lowered by All Too Hard in the Caulfield Guineas, remains the Cox Plate favourite while Queensland star Buffering heads the market for the Manikato.