Lightly-raced gelding Single could earn a late shot at the Queensland Derby if he rises to the challenge of city racing at Rosehill on Saturday.Trainer Craig Carmody admits Saturday's Bridgeview Hotel Bar and Dining Handicap (1500m) is a big step up but believes Single has the makings of a true stayer.By High Chaparral, Single makes his metropolitan debut on the back of two encouraging starts at the provincials."He is nicely bred and is a scopy, long-barrelled staying type with a nice turn of fo

Lightly-raced gelding Single could earn a late shot at the Queensland Derby if he rises to the challenge of city racing at Rosehill on Saturday.

Trainer Craig Carmody admits Saturday's Bridgeview Hotel Bar and Dining Handicap (1500m) is a big step up but believes Single has the makings of a true stayer.

By High Chaparral, Single makes his metropolitan debut on the back of two encouraging starts at the provincials.

"He is nicely bred and is a scopy, long-barrelled staying type with a nice turn of foot," Carmody said.

"It's a big step up for him tomorrow coming from Newcastle but it's going to be a great experience for the horse and given the right circumstances he'll be running on really hard."

Single made a winning debut in a 1400 maiden at Newcastle on April 21 before finishing second as favourite in a Newcastle 1600m class two on May 7.

He is rated a $14 chance with TAB Sportsbet for Saturday's race with Kathy O'Hara to ride.

"He has always shown me ability but he took a bit of time to mature and get to the races," Carmody said.

The former top class jockey has nominated Single for next month's Group One Queensland Derby because he believes the gelding is going to be a natural stayer in the future.

The 2400m Derby will be run at Eagle Farm on June 11 and Single is currently at $26.

"It might be a little bit quick but I will be interested to see how he goes tomorrow," Carmody said.

"The (Derby) nominations closed early and I threw him in because if he really measured up around this time it was going to be the natural progression for a three-year-old.

"I wouldn't completely rule it out at this time."

Single recently went through the Autumn Thoroughbred Sale before making his debut, and among the horse's new owners is Geoff Grimish.

Grimish is the breeder and owner of Group One-winning sprinter Shellscrape and his stakes-winning sister Red Tracer who are trained by Chris Waller.

Carmody was first introduced to Grimish about 15 years ago, and last year Grimish contacted Carmody with the offer to train Shellscrape and Red Tracer's as yet unraced younger brother, Green Tracer.

Carmody enjoyed a successful career as a jockey which included winning seven Group One races on the eight-time Group One winner Intergaze.

His other headline horse was Angst who made a clean sweep of the four-race Princess Series in 1993 culminating in the Flight Stakes.

Carmody turned to training about five years ago and currently has six in work at Randwick.