The Queensland Derby prospects of Definite Choice will go on the line at Doomben when he tackles the Group Three Rough Habit Plate.The colt showcased his staying credentials with an excellent fourth to Monaco Consul in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in October.He will step up to that distance range for the first time this campaign on Saturday when he has his fourth run back in the 2020 metre Derby lead-up.Trainer Greg Hickman says Definite Choice needs to stand up and b
The Queensland Derby prospects of Definite Choice will go on the line at Doomben when he tackles the Group Three Rough Habit Plate.
The colt showcased his staying credentials with an excellent fourth to Monaco Consul in the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick in October.
He will step up to that distance range for the first time this campaign on Saturday when he has his fourth run back in the 2020 metre Derby lead-up.
Trainer Greg Hickman says Definite Choice needs to stand up and be counted in the Rough Habit Plate if he is to be a chance in the Derby but cautions the barrier draw will be crucial.
"He really does have to do something on Saturday," Hickman said.
"He needs to perform to get into the Derby field and to get his confidence up.
"But there's not much you can do if you get a bad barrier."
Definite Choice followed a solid fifth to Star Of Octagonal over an unsuitable 1400m in the Group Three South Pacific Classic at Randwick with a sixth to Sanderson in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at his Brisbane debut.
He was doing his best work late after getting well back from his midfield draw but spotted the leaders too big a start.
"He had an awkward gate and no luck out of the barriers so he ended up back and wide," Hickman said.
"His run was quite good and he got home well.
"But when he gets the right barrier he can be ridden a bit closer so hopefully he can draw well this weekend."
Definite Choice also took time to settle in to his new environment in Queensland but Hickman says that is no longer an issue.
"Before that race I said he hadn't settled in that well but after that run he has settled in," he said.
Four horses have claimed the Rough Habit Plate-Queensland Derby double with Empires Choice in 2007 the most recent.
Hickman is hoping to have a strong hand in the Queensland Classics this winter with Shabana heading towards the Oaks (2400m) on June 5, a week before Definite Choice's Derby assignment.
Shabana provided the Sydney trainer with his first win in Brisbane when she defeated the older horses at Eagle Farm on May 1.
Hickman said the filly had come through the race well and would have her final Oaks lead up in the Group Three The Roses (2020m) at Doomben on Saturday week.