Godolphin three-year-old Lassitude will stay on a low-key course towards the ATC Australian Derby as bookmakers expect him to go close to opening his autumn account on Wednesday.

Lassitude is among 14 entries for the Randwick Guineas but Godolphin will take a much softer option when the colt runs in the Hyland Race Colours Handicap at Warwick Farm.

Trainer John O'Shea will rely on Sweynesse in the Randwick Guineas while expecting Lassitude to figure later during the autumn carnival.

Lassitude broke through with an easy at his fifth start when he lined up at a middle distance for the first time.

But he was even more convincing at his next start, winning by almost five lengths at Canterbury.

"He never really showed on the racecourse what he had been showing at home until he got out to those trips last time," Godolphin racing manager Jason Walsh said.

"When he gets out to his (ideal) trip again he'll be a very nice horse for Sheikh Mohammed."

"Hopefully he will run a mile and a half. We think he is a (ATC Australian) Derby contender."

Lassitude ran out of condition when resuming with a close second to Happy Clapper at Randwick but from a Derby perspective lost nothing in the eyes of the in-form stable and pre-post operators.

"To show that sort of form at 1400 (metres) and nearly get away with it was very pleasing," Walsh said.

Lassitude shares the fourth line of Derby betting as an $11 chance and he has opened as one of the early favourites in a midweek race that promises to be a genuine test against all comers.

He appeals as yet another plum Godolphin ride for James McDonald after jockey teamed with O'Shea for three stakes wins, including the Group One Chipping Norton Stakes, at Warwick Farm on Saturday.

McDonald's treble ensured he regained an outright lead as he tries to defend his Sydney jockeys' premiership.

He will go into the Warwick Farm meeting with a two-win advantage over Blake Shinn.