Chris and Corey Munce are hoping persistence finally pays off when Payline steps out again at Flemington this weekend after a string of luckless performances in Melbourne.

The stable made the trip from Queensland in late August and have since watched Payline run well without winning across three Melbourne metropolitan tracks.

Saturday’s run in The Damien Oliver (1400m) will be Payline’s fifth start of the spring in Victoria.

Craig Williams will take the reins for the first time after riding the gelding in a strong Tuesday morning gallop. Justin Huxtable and Blake Shinn have previously partnered him during this campaign.

Munce believes the horse is going as well as ever and just needs a clear crack at them.

“He’s had four runs down here and he’s run into a bit of traffic on all occasions,” Munce said.

“He’s in terrific order. He galloped well at Flemington on Tuesday morning and the big track over 1400 metres, I’m hoping it will suit him.”

Stepping to 1400m last start saw Payline finish a close-up fourth in the Moonga Stakes. He had previously proven his ability at the trip when fifth in the Stradbroke Handicap.

“The 1400 metres probably suits, and he could get a mile, the way he is going,” Munce said.

Munce said there are several upcoming race options, including a possible back-up into the Champions Mile, though Brisbane summer features remain firmly in mind.

“If he put them away very easily, maybe we could back-up, but he’s still got a few races ahead of him in Brisbane during the summer,” he said.

“He’s a Magic Millions horse. He won the $1 million syndicate race up there last year, so there’s plenty of races up there he can run in.”

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