The four year old is starting prep work and trainer Payne believes this could be her best season yet with her improving every day.
“She looks good, put on some weight and is a stronger filly,” Payne said.
“I’ve always believed she’s the type of filly that would improve again at four so I think there’s still good things ahead.”
Montefilia arrived on the scene in her 3 year old season when winning the Darley Flight Stakes and Spring Champion Stakes between a mile and 2000m. However since then she has divided punters on whether she can hold out a longer trip.
With her biggest target the VRC Oaks over 2500m she was a beaten favourite and went on to finish out of the placings in the Australian Oaks over 2400m later in the campaign.
“I haven’t given up on her staying. I’m going to put her in the Cups,” Payne said.
“I don’t think she was suited in the Derby or the Oaks the way the races were run.
“They we’re slowly run and she’s not a filly that can sprint.
“She needs a true gallop to wind up and show what she’s capable of.”
Trainer Payne plans to trial Montefilia in late July and then again in August to have her ready for a tilt at some big targets in the Spring.
“I plan to kick her off in the Chelmsford and then we’ll run in the Kingston Town and maybe the Metrop before we decide on the Cups once and for all,” he said.
“She’ll have to shape up in Sydney first but I think she will. I think the spring will show us what she’s capable of.
“I honestly think she’s going to improve again. Deep down I’ve always thought she will stay.
“If she doesn’t stay I have the option to freshen her up and run her in a race like the Golden Eagle so there are plenty of opportunities for a horse like her in the spring.”
Montefilia currently sits a $51 shot for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup with her $26 for the Golden Eagle and $34 for the Cox Plate on the all in markets.