John Sadler’s fiery but well performing filly Heidilicious has drawn one of the best barriers for this Saturday’s Queensland Derby, giving the impeccably bred daughter of Zabeel every chance to upset the boys in the Eagle Farm classic.

Heidilicious, to be ridden by former Stradbroke Handicap winning hoop Jim Byrne for the first time on Saturday, has come up with barrier three for this year’s $500,000 Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m).

With the five emergencies in the capacity Queensland Derby field not gaining a start, Heidilicious will move into gate two as she attempts to improve on her last-start fifth behind Derby non-acceptor Scarlett Lady in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m) last Saturday.

Heidilicious blew the start in the Oaks, her notorious bad barrier manners seeing her forced to perform in a jump-out in front of Racing Queensland stewards before getting the green light for the Derby.

In the latest Queensland Derby odds Heidilicious is rated an $8 chance, just shorter than fellow filly Shez Sinsational.

Allan Sharrock’s Kiwi galloper Shez Sinsational was just that in the Oaks last Saturday, the daughter of Ekraar running a brave third in her Australian race debut.

“We got held up for a few strides at the top of the straight (in the Oaks) and by the time we got out Scarlett Lady had gone,” Sharrock said.

“We would never have beaten her but I thought we could have picked up the second horse (Becerra).

“I think she might have just peaked on her run.”

Sure to have improved from the run, Sharrock said Shez Sinsational is ready to back-up in the Derby and has drawn to perfection with gate seven.

“She worked very well this morning and we’ve made the late payment for the Derby,” Sharrock said.

“It’s a gamble to pay the money but while we are here we’ll have a go.”

The two top Derby favourites are Shootoff ($4) and Turnitup ($6.50), who have drawn out wider in barriers 12 and 11 respectively.

New Zealand-based trainer Graeme Rogerson is out for successive Group 1 wins in Brisbane with Shootoff following his Oaks win with Scarlett Lady.

The Duelled three-year-old comes into the Derby on the back of an eye-catching fourth behind Scenic Shot in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2020m) and will be ridden by Michael Rodd once again.

“His run against the weight-for-age horses in the Doomben Cup was phenomenal and he deserves to be favourite,” Rogerson said of Shootoff.

“He looks sensational and with any luck in running he’s the horse they have to beat.”

Turnitup is also ready to do just that, Peter Moody’s progressive Dane Shadow gelding looking for two on the trot after their hard-fought win over fellow Derby rival Mr Light Blue in the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) at Doomben a fortnight ago.

Other notable 2011 Queensland Derby acceptors on Wednesday morning include Shadows In The Sun paying $16 in the markets and Oforawesome who is a $41 roughie.

Anthony Cummings’ Shadows In The Sun is seeking their second Derby success of the season after taking out the Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) at Morphettville last month.

At their most recent run, Shadows In The Sun ran a disappointing eighth in the Doomben Cup but Cummings is willing to put a line through that run when they had no luck along the fence.

Meanwhile, Cranbourne trainer Michael Kent will give Colombia gelding Oforawesome their chance in a Group 1 despite the horse failing to produce in their final Derby lead-up finishing seventh behind Irish Love at Rosehill last Saturday.

“Obviously he’s got a big task in front of him but he’s a very green and quite backward horse and so I just think the trip away and the whole experience will be the making of him as a stayer,” Kent said of Oforawesome.

Drawn in barrier 19 with Brad Rawiller engaged for the ride, Oforawesome will make their Queensland race debut in the Derby on Saturday.

“It’s very important he settles in the run and I think he’ll take a lot out of his run in Sydney last weekend as he’s now had a good look at the reverse way (of racing) and will be suited getting up to 2400 metres.”

2011 Channel Seven Queensland Derby Final Field & Barriers