Trainer Barry Fox had to check the race fields to make sure Bonne Nuit was competing after the last-start winner went unmentioned in pre-race media discussions.

But the mare, with apprentice Katelyn Mallyon aboard, left nobody in doubt about her ability when she won the Jimmy Demetriou and Brian Kelly Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Fox praised Mallyon for her effort and said Bonne Nuit ($16) appreciated the rider's gentle hands.

"She rides nice and quiet and kind," Fox said of Mallyon.

"Sometimes the boys tend to bustle them a little bit while the girls like to let them stretch out - that's the difference."

Fox said he knew that if Bonne Nuit was within striking distance of the leaders on the turn that she would be hard to hold out.

Nor could he understand why she was sent out at such generous odds.

"I listened this morning (to the radio) and they never mentioned her. I had to check that she was in," he said.

Bonne Nuit won by two lengths from $5 favourite Minh Khai with Innocent Lady ($10) another 1-1/4 lengths away third.

Given Bonne Nuit is likely to rise in the weights after posting her second successive metropolitan win, Fox says the mare could head towards a country Cup meeting at her next outing.