A Cox Plate win on former champion Northerly will remain the greatest racing moment for Patrick Payne even if Fieldmaster provides him with his first Group One winner as a trainer in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.Payne has been training for less than three years since turning his back on a successful riding career which produced 18 Group One wins highlighted by Northerly's second Cox Plate victory at Moonee Valley in 2002.Fieldmaster is currently third favourite at $7.50 behind $3.50 favour

A Cox Plate win on former champion Northerly will remain the greatest racing moment for Patrick Payne even if Fieldmaster provides him with his first Group One winner as a trainer in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm.

Payne has been training for less than three years since turning his back on a successful riding career which produced 18 Group One wins highlighted by Northerly's second Cox Plate victory at Moonee Valley in 2002.

Fieldmaster is currently third favourite at $7.50 behind $3.50 favourite Kutchinsky for Saturday's 2400-metre feature.

"I'd love Fieldmaster to be my first Group One winner as a trainer but Northerly will always be my favourite horse," Payne said.

"Northerly had a big heart and huge lungs and was always the last man standing."

Payne has taken a low-key approach to the Queensland Derby with Fieldmaster by stabling him in a country environment near Murwillumbah in northern NSW since the three-year-old scored a stunning victory at the Doomben midweeks on June 2.

"It's a nice relaxed environment where I've got him stabled and I can work him at the beach or take him to the track at Murwillumbah," Payne said.

"He's trained on since he won at Doomben and I'm very pleased with the way he's going.

"He'll run a terrific race but it's hard to line up his form against the better three-year-olds."

Fieldmaster was having only his third start for Payne when he circled the field from last in a 2240-metre restricted race at Doomben.

Although the class of his opposition was weak, Fieldmaster only arrived in Brisbane a few hours before the race following three aborted attempts to get him on a flight from Melbourne.

Payne got Fieldmaster from New Zealand trainer Adrian Bull who was preparing the son of Black Minnaloushe for the Queensland Derby before the gelding was sold.

Payne's client Josh Xipell wanted to purchase a yearling from New Zealand but when no suitable horse could be found, Fieldmaster was bought for an undisclosed sum.

"Kevin Myers is a family friend and a trainer over there and it was on his recommendation Josh bought him off Adrian Bull who was setting him for the Queensland Derby," Payne said.

"I can't disclose how much Josh got him for but Adrian is still in front.

"I owe a lot to Adrian. I've intercepted Fieldmaster and I'm playing on to the Derby."

Payne is hoping Fieldmaster's strengths can overcome any deficiencies he may have.

"He's got a good long stride and has a big heart and lungs but his weakness is his inexperience and immaturity," he said.

Payne will spell Fieldmaster after the Queensland Derby and he is unlikely to be a Cups contender in his home state during the spring.

"I'm open-minded but I'll probably take the soft option with him back home and he might be better suited for the big Cup races next year," he said.