Trainer Brian Cox expects a sizeable drop in weight to boost Sumakaray's chances in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield.

The four-year-old mare carried 60kg in a fillies and mares race at Moonee Valley last start and Cox believes her weight told over the 1200m when she finished third behind Coronation Shallan.

"At Moonee Valley she went well but the big weight beat her in the end," he said.

Sumakaray has 54kg on Saturday and Cox believes this could be crucial to her prospects.

"You try to place your horses where they don't have to carry a lot of weight," said Cox.

"You never beat the handicapper but going from 60kg to 54kg is a very big drop."

The Wodonga-based trainer is also pleased with her barrier two.

"You've got to be happy with that - she just has to jump well and hold her position," he said.

Looking back over Sumakaray's spring carnival appearance, Cox said she didn't handle the straight-six course at Flemington where she finished fourth behind Dystopia in the Group Three Mumm Stakes on November 7.

But she managed a second place in the Listed Alinghi Stakes during the Caulfield Cup carnival.

"That was a super run so we're hoping she keeps racing like that," he said.

If Sumakaray pulls up well on Saturday, Cox will start her in the $120,000 Christmas Stakes at Caulfield on Boxing Day before putting her out to paddock for five weeks.