For a few fleeting strides Darren Weir thought he was going to pull off an improbable Cox Plate victory.

As Winx was going to the front at the 600m, Weir was watching closely as Humidor began to make ground.

He had noticed Humidor settle at the back of the field, relaxed, before making a run through the field to the home turn.

But just as Weir was having thoughts of causing a boilover, Humidor laid in trying to bridge the gap between himself and a champion.

Weir scored a boilover win when Prince Of Penzance took out the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Michelle Payne aboard.

"If he hadn't of laid in he might have made it interesting," Weir said.

"He didn't lay in badly, just at a crucial time.

"I thought halfway down the straight he was going to get her, but in the end she was too good."

Weir praised the ride of Blake Shinn saying Damian Lane made the wrong decision in riding the gelding closer to the speed in last week's Caulfield Cup.

Humidor finished fifth contrary to his normal racing pattern.

"It's amazing what happens when they're ridden properly," Weir said.

"He went back, relaxed and finished strong.

"Everything helped him today. He had a hard run last week, the jumping helped him during the week as did the blinkers."

Humidor was promoted to $7 equal favourite with Almandin for the Melbourne Cup following his half-neck second to Winx with Weir saying Saturday's race was a perfect lead to the Cup.

"The plan today was to be strong to the line and go to the Melbourne Cup," Weir said.

Weir reported Gailo Chop, fifth and ridden by Mark Zahra, was feeling the effects of the race.

"Mark said he didn't feel great coming back so we'll have a look at him in the morning," Weir said.