Sumakaray has been back in work at Cox’s stables after spending three months in the paddock.

The talented mare won first-up last preparation on Benalla Cup day before going on to be ultra-competitive in three of her four starts over the Melbourne spring carnival.

Sumakaray finished second in a trial at Albury on Saturday with Cox keen to give his stable star experience in racing in the clockwise direction.

“I was quite happy with her trial and we weren’t out to break any records,” Cox said.

“She is yet to race in the NSW direction but she didn’t seem to have any dramas.

“There is a race at Randwick on Queen Elizabeth Stakes day on April 19 we are looking to target first-up.

“But she will be also nominated for the Flat Knacker.

“We will see how we draw, if we don’t draw well we don’t have to go around.”

Sumakaray is lethal fresh and has the perfect record from three previous first-up attempts.

Stablemate Minnie Downs is set to race at Sandown on Saturday after scoring an impressive first-up victory in the Echuca Cup earlier this month.

Minnie Downs was being touted as a likely starter in next Friday’s Albury Gold Cup but Cox has been forced to rethink plans with the cup field shaping as the strongest since attaining listed status two years ago.

The talented mare has drawn the inside alley with Jye McNeil booked to ride.

Minnie Downs is quoted an $8-chance in TAB fixed odds markets.

The leading trainer didn’t rule out backing up Minnie Downs in the Albury Cup if she performed to expectations on Saturday.

Cox said he could have to up to nine runners over the two days of the Albury carnival.