Lindsay Park co-trainer David Hayes said the stable’s Kingsford-Smith Cup 2017 runner in Brisbane on Saturday Derryn was a horse that “handles all conditions” and that the predicted Heavy Eagle Farm track was a non-issue.

Derryn can handle a Heavy-rated Eagle Farm track if conditions in Brisbane don’t improve for Saturday’s 2017 Kingsford-Smith Cup. Photo: Steve Hart.

Early money has seen the talented Hinchinbrook colt firm in from $7 to $6 in the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au on this weekend’s $700,000 Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m).

Drawn in barrier five, now into four with the scratching of Egyptian Symbol (3), Derryn will have Mark Zahra in the saddle for the revamped weight-for-age winter feature.

Zahra rode Derryn two back at Royal Randwick during ‘The Championships’ for a one length win over dual Group 1 winning filly Global Glamour in the Group 2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m).

The progressive three-year-old then ran the ideal lead-up when under a length away third behind the winner Redzel in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on May 13.

With updates to the Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival this season seeing the old BTC Cup extended to 1300m and moved from Doomben to Eagle Farm, the Doomben 10,000 now serves as the form line to follow into the Kingsford-Smith Cup.

While there’s been little rain in Brisbane this week, the Eagle Farm track was still feeling the effects from earlier wet weather and was in the Heavy region on Friday.

Derryn has had two goes on Heavy tracks for a win at Rosehill in March and his eighth as a $51 roughie when outclassed by Chautauqua in the Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) the week before his Arrowfield win on a Soft (7).

“He’s a horse that’s going from strength to strength. His work this week’s been excellent,” Hayes said of Derryn speaking to Racing Victoria this week.

“I notice they’ve had a good week [weather-wise in Brisbane], but it’s still rated Heavy.

“I expect him to run really well because this horse handles all conditions.”

Lindsay Park took out the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide last weekend in an upset with Vega Magic and are out to do the same in the sunshine state on Saturday.

The Goodwood favourite was the defending champion Black Heart Bart who backs-up in the Kingsford-Smith Cup field on Saturday.

Darren Weir’s five-time Group 1 winner is the current $3.40 favourite to return to winning form from barrier three in the Brisbane feature race.

Derryn is the equal second elect along with Chris Waller’s market mover Counterattack ($8 into $6) who comes off a Doomben 10,000 second a fortnight ago.

The other best in Kingsford-Smith Cup betting for 2017 at $6.50 is Clearly Innocent who comes off a black-type win at Scone over 1300m, his second victory from as many starts over the distance.

Check out the latest odds on Derryn to win the Group 1 in Brisbane this weekend online now at Ladbrokes.com.au.