Doncaster winner tough to beat

Sydney trainer David Payne will bring smart mare Gallant Tess to Melbourne for the Cox Plate if she can win this Saturday's G1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Gallant Tess is likely to start second favourite behind Doncaster Handicap winner Triple Honour, whom Payne said would be the hardest to beat, in the weight-for-age race.

In her two runs back this campaign, Gallant Tess has run second to injured Sydney star Racing To Win before toppling Triple Honour last start in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes over the same course and distance.

A repeat effort will have Payne aiming to eclipse Weekend Hussler in Melbourne.

"If she was to win on Saturday I'd love to have her run in the Cox Plate but it all depends on how she goes Saturday. She's got to win it," Payne told Sportal.

If not, then Payne will aim the bar lower and aim for the G1 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington.

However, the Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 4 at Randwick was not in the equation as Payne did not want to run the mare twice in seven days.

Payne said Gallant Tess, now a five-year-old, had matured significantly since a six-month layoff following her three-year-old season.

"That's what made her," said Payne, who believed an EI-enforced spell had also benefited her.

Gallant Tess was rated a $51 chance for the Cox Plate but that price will shorten should she win the George Main.