Brisbane horseman Brian Smith has a very genuine chance in the 2017 Queensland Derby this Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival after the narrow Grand Prix Stakes success of his progressive three-year-old Order Again.

Jockey Larry Cassidy rode 2017 Queensland Derby-bound local Order Again to a tight win in the Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo: Daniel Costello.

An up-and-coming son of Iffraaj, the Eagle Farm-trained stayer had no luck after a wide run throughout at Doomben last start finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m).

Continuing on the traditional path into the $600,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) back at Eagle Farm over the mile and a half on June 10, Order Again went out the market mover in Saturday’s $150,000 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m).

Three-time Queensland Derby winning jockey Larry Cassidy retained the ride on Kingsford-Smith Cup Day and got Order Again into a favourable mid-field position in the set weights clash.

It was the Kiwi raider and punters’ pick Shocking Luck, last seen winning the Rough Habit Plate, who led the field around.

Trailing well back at the other end of things was then Darren Weir’s galloper Volatile Mix coming back in distance after winning Adelaide’s Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) last time out.

Once on the home straight the favourite had plenty of company including Cassidy on Order Again who hit the lead.

On the scene late running on from the back and making up all the ground was Volatile Mix down the outside turning it into a two horse race to the line.

In a devastatingly close photo finish the bob of the head went to Order Again on the inside of Volatile Mix, while the trifecta was rounded out by the Brent Stanley-trained Violate coming off a Rough Habit fourth.

It was a nice effort from the runner-up who kept coming late and did well to hold for second coming back in distance, but all honours went to the market mover who saluted on the Heavy-rated Eagle Farm track.

Cassidy has enjoyed three Queensland Derby wins in the past 30 years, most recently aboard Court Ruler (2009), and rates Order Again a big chance to step-up in distance and take it out this season.

“He still has to step up another 200m in distance but he’s improving each run,” the hoop said.

“He’s on the improve and will take great benefit from today.

“I hope they keep the meeting here [at Eagle Farm].

“I’ve got the easy part, I’ve just got to ride him.”

Three of the past five Queensland Derby winners came off a traditional lead-up run in the Grand Prix Stakes including Brambles (2012) and Hawkspur (2013) who both completed the double.

Check out the updated Queensland Derby 2017 betting markets on the best three-year-olds out of today’s Grand Prix Stakes results now at Ladbrokes.com.au.

2017 Grand Prix Stakes Results & Finishing Order

Eagle Farm Race 5 – 27/05/2017