Trainer Patrick Payne is unlikely to raise the bar to the Melbourne Cup in November with Kerdem even if the former Irish stayer successfully defends his Queensland Cup crown at Eagle Farm on Saturday.Kerdem surprised Payne when he claimed last year's 3200-metre feature in unsuitable conditions on a heavy track and was realistic enough then not to get too carried away with the victory.The six-year-old has returned to Brisbane in a bid to win the Queensland Cup again but faces a steep weight rise

Trainer Patrick Payne is unlikely to raise the bar to the Melbourne Cup in November with Kerdem even if the former Irish stayer successfully defends his Queensland Cup crown at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Kerdem surprised Payne when he claimed last year's 3200-metre feature in unsuitable conditions on a heavy track and was realistic enough then not to get too carried away with the victory.

The six-year-old has returned to Brisbane in a bid to win the Queensland Cup again but faces a steep weight rise to 58 kilograms.

"He won by a neck with 53 kilos last year and this year he's got 58 kilos," Payne said.

"He's got great stamina but I'd be very surprised if he's got the quality to run in a Melbourne Cup."

Just over 12 months ago, Payne warned that Kerdem faced a career as a jumper in Victoria if he didn't deliver in the Queensland Cup.

The decision to delay a future over the jumps was vindicated when Kerdem returned to Victoria and won over 1700 metres at Warrnambool on January 11.

The victory convinced Payne to send the son of Rainbow Quest to South Australia where he was runner-up to Zavite in the Group Two Adelaide Cup over his favoured 3200 metres at Morphettville on March 9.

Kerdem has started only twice since the Adelaide Cup for a sixth to Bangerang Quikpic over 2000 metres at Flemington on June 6 before finishing sixth again to Reggie in last week's Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast.

The gelding finished in the same position to Fast Future in last year's Caloundra Cup but the margin compared to this year was significantly different.

Kerdem raced on a dead track and was beaten less than five lengths last year while in last week's Cup he was beaten 17 lengths on a heavy surface.

Payne, who has retained Caloundra Cup jockey Michael Cahill for Kerdem, is unsure of the stayer's future when he returns home.

"I was satisfied with his Caloundra Cup run," he said.

"I know he won the Queensland Cup last year on a heavy track but normally his form isn't good in the wet.

"He's trained on since last week but this will be his last run before he spells.

"I spelled him up here at Epsom Lodge last year and I'll do the same again.

"I'm not sure what to do with him next campaign. After he went home from last year he went on to win at Warrnambool and then ran second in the Adelaide Cup so we may do something like that again."

Payne has only been training for 18 months after weight problems ended a brilliant riding career which yielded 18 Group One victories including the Cox Plate on Northerly in 2002.

Kerdem did his early racing in Ireland and was a winner by seven lengths over 2400m at Fairyhouse as a three-year-old.

He went through the sales ring in the United Kingdom as a tried horse and was bought by well-known Australian bloodstock agent John Foote.

David Hayes prepared Kerdem at Lindsay Park in South Australia before he was transferred to Payne after being gelded.