West Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus could be a surprise runner in next Saturday's Group One Doomben Cup.Trainer Peter Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor confirmed the 2020 metre weight-for-age race was under serious consideration for the three-year-old who is still in his first racing preparation."It is a bit out of the ordinary what we have done with him taking him to Perth and now Brisbane, but he is fit and well," O'Connor said.Markus Maximus has raced six times for three wins and t

West Australian Derby winner Markus Maximus could be a surprise runner in next Saturday's Group One Doomben Cup.

Trainer Peter Moody's racing manager Jeff O'Connor confirmed the 2020 metre weight-for-age race was under serious consideration for the three-year-old who is still in his first racing preparation.

"It is a bit out of the ordinary what we have done with him taking him to Perth and now Brisbane, but he is fit and well," O'Connor said.

Markus Maximus has raced six times for three wins and three placings and last start beat Berlioz in a photo finish to the West Australian Derby (2400m) on April 11.

"He had a week in the paddock after Perth and since being back in the stable he has just thrived," O'Connor said.

Markus Maximus arrived in Brisbane from Melbourne last week with the Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 his chief objective.

O'Connor said a Doomben Cup start would depend on how well the Pentire gelding settles in, otherwise he would be held over a week for the Group Three Rough Habit (2020m) at Doomben on May 23.

"It is impossible to line up his form but while the Doomben Cup is on and there are no standout Group One horses up there we might give him his chance," O'Connor said.

"All going well he can then go on to the Derby three weeks later."

The Bill Mitchell-trained Akhenaton (2000) is the most recent of two three-year-olds to win the Doomben Cup in the past 20 years. Danewin also won in 1995.

AJC Australian Oaks placegetter Miss Darcey is also aiming to strike a blow for the three-year-olds and is the $6.50 joint favourite alongside New Zealander Izonit.

Miss Darcey's trainer Anthony Cummings claimed the first Group One race of the Queensland winter when three-year-old Duporth beat a class field of older sprinters in Saturday's BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben.