“They are talking like there are only two horses going to Randwick,” Payne said. “It’s not a match race.

“They are obviously two outstanding horses, but they will need to be on their game on Saturday.

“Montefilia won the Ranvet Stakes last year and if it turns into a staying contest she will be coming hard at the end.

“It will be a truly run because I think the Japanese horse [Unicorn Lion] will make it a properly run 2000m test and she will love that, especially if the track gets to soft.”

The Newmarket-prepared Dubai Honour has taken over as favourite at $2.45 as punters rally to the English galloper with a liking for soft ground.

Australia’s best horse since Winx, Anamoe is out to $2.60 and the rest of the field above $10. Montefilia is rated a $17 chance.

Payne believes Montefilia should be going into the Queen Elizabeth a last-start winner if not for a slip at a crucial time in the Tancred Stakes, where she steamed down the outside to just miss running down Arapaho.

“You could see in the race, she just slipped and lost that length and momentum at the 500m mark,” Payne said. “It was when she was coming into the race, and she was good that she nearly won it anyway.

“I was worried she could have hurt her back in the incident, but she came out really well.

“If this is her farewell, she will have no excuses because she has been very good this week and I’m really happy with her. She is going to love a good tempo and she will keep them honest.”

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Payne believes the owners are doing the right thing in selling her this season as a racing and breeding prospect as she has just reached full maturity. But he would love to see her in training for another year.

“That is up to whoever buys her. She is going to go to a good home because she is a very valuable mare, but I would love to have another crack at a Caulfield Cup with her,” Payne said. “I think 2400 is her best distance and she has run fourth twice in it.

“The first time she wasn’t ready for it and last year she just got lost in the field and had no luck.”

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