Derby focus, no Queen Elizabeth for Hitotsu

Hitotsu is favourite for the Australian Derby at Randwick on Saturday. Ciaron Maher and David Eustace want to keep him during The Championships. Hitotsus is a last-start winner of the last start of Australian Guineas. Maher wants to run him in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next week. The stable won the race last year with Explosive Jack. The Derby was switched to the autumn in 1979. It's the first time it's been held in this time of year.

Hitotsu is the clear top seed over Can't Go Wong and Elzamee in the Derby. John Allen rides Hitotsus, Jamie Kah rides Can' Go WIllow and Chad Schofield rides Elzeame. The stable is set to saddle up three runners in Derby, including Ruthven, who won the Alister Clark Stakes last start.