Safeguard showed why Darley originally rated him among their leading Golden Slipper chances with victory in the opening race on Australian Derby day at Randwick.

On a spectacular afternoon in Sydney's eastern suburbs and amid a sea of salmon and black to celebrate Black Caviar's appearance later in the day, Safeguard overcame a sluggish start to weave his way through the field and claim the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).

Trainer Peter Snowden said Darley had rated the colt good enough to target last Saturday's Golden Slipper, but they abandoned those plans when he contracted a fever in the week before a crucial lead-up run.

In Safeguard's absence, stablemate Sidestep finished runner-up in the Slipper and Guelph fourth.

"He was there, better than Sidestep. He worked better than all of them," Snowden said.

"But they change every week the two-year-olds.

"What's gone is gone. We will probably tip him out now and look towards the spring."

Safeguard was backed late from $3.50 to start $3.10 and scored by a length over Everage ($15) with Diamond Oasis ($21) another 2-1/4 lengths away.

Il Cavallo was sent out an even money favourite, but was one of the first horses beaten and finished seventh.

Jockey Luke Nolen was mystified by the favourite's effort.

"He raced a bit keen," Nolen said.

"But it was just too bad to be true, so we'll let the dust settle and see what happens there."