Lee Hope was counting on the cooler weather bringing out the best in Madam Gangster and he was right as the mare won the France Tressady Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Hope said a decision to give Madam Gangster a short break in January had paid dividends.

"She could have ran here in January which would have flattened her and she would have needed six weeks out," Hope said.

"I thought if I don't run her she would only need two weeks at Kilmore to pick up again and then go on when it's a bit cooler."

Madam Gangster had previously been prepared by Robert Kingston before joining the Hope stable and ran a first-up second at Seymour behind the promising Profit Share.

Ridden by Craig Williams, Madam Gangster ($3.10) scored by 1-3/4 lengths from Girl Guide ($7) with Nadeem Lass ($26) a half length away third.

Williams, who made it a double having won earlier aboard Amorino, said the placement of Madam Gangster had been first rate.

"Lee was very confident she would be hard to beat and she won like a good horse," he said.