KEY POINTS:
Queensland Oaks winner Eskimo Queen has displaced Empires Choice as favourite for the QTC Derby at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The Mike Moroney-trained filly is set to claim the rare Classic double and is now the A$4.60 TAB Sportsbet favourite for the 2400m feature.
The Bart Cummings-trained Empires Choice is at A$4.80 ahead of his stablemate Sirmione at A$5.50 with Fort 'N' Won and Sands Of Time at A$6.50.
Fort 'N' Won's trainer Gerald Ryan believes the gelding can upset the top three after his unlucky four lengths seventh in the Group Three Rough Habit Plate (2020m) won by Empires Choice from Sands Of Time.
Ryan is also hoping the predicted rain arrives in time for the Derby.
"I always reckoned he would win the Derby and I haven't changed my mind," Ryan said.
"If it's wet, he will just love it, he won easily on a heavy track at Eagle Farm on Boxing Day."
Fort 'N' Won emerged as a Derby hope with four wins in Brisbane over the summer, including a dominant performance over 2200m at the Gold Coast in January.
Australia's greatest living trainer, Cummings is chasing just his second Queensland Derby after Bottled Sunshine won in 1975.
Final declarations for the Derby and the A$1 million Stradbroke Hcp (1400m) will be taken today when the field for Monday's Group One TJ Smith (1600m) for 2-year-olds will also be declared.
-AAP
