David Hayes has eyes on big upset in the ATC Australian Derby

HALL of Fame trainer David Hayes hasn't ruled out engineering a "classic" upset with outsiders Gerontius and Bass Strait at Royal Randwick today.

David Hayes

HALL of Fame trainer David Hayes hasn't ruled out engineering a "classic" upset with outsiders Gerontius and Bass Strait at Royal Randwick today.

Gerontius is a $41 outsider while stablemate Bass Strait is at $101 for the $1.5 million David Jones ATC Australian Derby (2400m).

The Derby is one of the few majors Hayes hasn't won and his chances look remote with It's A Dundeel - a $1.22 favourite to complete the coveted triple crown in today's big race - but the champion trainer isn't giving up that easily.

"Anything can happen in racing, we saw that with More Joyous last week," Hayes said.

"It's A Dundeel deserves to be favourite although there is probably a slight risk he can't stay as he failed at this trip last time (unplaced in the Victoria Derby).

"He was a younger horse then and coming off a long preparation so there were excuses. He is clearly the one to beat but I am taking two very fit horses to the track (today) believing they will both run better than their odds suggest."

Gerontius is backing up after his closing fifth behind Philippi in the Tulloch Stakes last week with Hayes adamant the gelding will be better suited at 2400m today.

"You probably can't say that about too many others in the Derby," Hayes said.

"He wasn't completely comfortable in the wet conditions last week but what I really liked was the way he ran right through the line. The longer the race went, the stronger he got.

"Bass Strait was running well in Group company in Melbourne before his last start at Caulfield (fourth) where he was very unlucky. Like Gerontius, he will definitely stay and both horses go well on the Sydney leg."