Trainer Graeme Rogerson still holds sway in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm with Shootoff despite the surprise decision not to run stablemate Scarlett Lady.Rogerson left the final decision to owner Max Whitby on whether to start Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady in Saturday's 2400m feature but a forecast for rain weighed heavily on their minds."It's supposed to rain and we didn't want Scarlett Lady to have a gut-buster which might harm her for the spring," Rogerson said."It was a big decis

Trainer Graeme Rogerson still holds sway in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm with Shootoff despite the surprise decision not to run stablemate Scarlett Lady.

Rogerson left the final decision to owner Max Whitby on whether to start Queensland Oaks winner Scarlett Lady in Saturday's 2400m feature but a forecast for rain weighed heavily on their minds.

"It's supposed to rain and we didn't want Scarlett Lady to have a gut-buster which might harm her for the spring," Rogerson said.

"It was a big decision from Max but I've still got the favourite, Shootoff, in the Derby."

Rogerson plans to spell Scarlett Lady immediately and will have her inoculated during her break for a possible trip to Japan or Hong Kong following the spring carnival in Melbourne.

Rogerson and Whitby believe Scarlett Lady can measure up as a strong contender for the Caulfield Cup and possibly the Melbourne Cup in the spring.

"A lot of people told me she could win the Derby but at least she's going out now at the top of her game," Rogerson said.

Rogerson sent Shootoff, who drew barrier 12 in the Queensland Derby, back to Sydney following his last-start fourth to Scenic Shot in the Group One Doomben Cup last month.

"I thought it was in his best interests to go back to his own environment after the Doomben Cup," Rogerson said.

"He arrived back up on the Gold Coast this morning and he looks fantastic. He's the horse to beat in the Derby."

Shootoff is currently $4 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Queensland Derby with the Peter Moody-trained Turnitup, barrier 11, second favourite at $6.50.

"His run in the Doomben Cup at weight-for-age was phenomenal so he deserves to be favourite," Rogerson said.

"He'll be on the pace and any rain won't worry him."

Trainer Allan Sharrock paid a $27,000 late entry fee to start Queensland Oaks placegetter Shez Sinsational, barrier seven, and was buoyed by Rogerson's decision not to start Scarlett Lady.

"She worked very well this morning and I just thought she might have needed the run in the Oaks," Sharrock said.

"She hadn't raced for three weeks before the Oaks which didn't help.

"It's a gamble to pay the late fee but with natural improvement she's a chance.

"We're here so we might as well have a go."

Scarlett Lady's absence from the Queensland Derby has enabled boom New Zealand apprentice James McDonald to ride the John O'Shea-trained Leading.

McDonald landed his first Group One winner in Australian aboard Scarlett Lady in the Queensland Oaks.

Leading, barrier 22, is a $31 outsider after finishing 13th to Turnitup in the Group Three Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben at his Queensland debut.