A first-up failure put Queensland plans on hold for Zabeelionaire but he can revive Doomben Cup aspirations with a top-three finish at Flemington on Saturday.

Trainer Leon Corstens scrapped the idea of running Zabeelionaire in Saturday's Group Two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast after last year's South Australian Derby winner failed to beat a horse home over 1400m at Caulfield first-up.

Corstens sent the four-year-old to the Cranbourne barrier trials on Monday and has decided to put blinkers on the son of Zabeel for Saturday's 2000m race where the entire needs to bounce back strongly to earn a trip for the Doomben Cup on May 18.

"He didn't go well enough (first-up) as far as I was concerned to warrant a trip to Brisbane," Corstens said.

"It costs a lot of money so you want to know for sure he's going well before going interstate.

"He would want to run in the first three on Saturday."

Zabeelionaire came in eight lengths behind the winner Speediness in the Pink Ribbon Cup first-up and Corstens said although the race might not have been run to suit, he was "very disappointed" in the performance.

"I'm putting a set of blinkers on him, most Zabeels race hell of a lot better in blinkers," the trainer said.

"I was pleased with his trial but not ecstatic."

Zabeelionaire finished second in a 1550m trial on Monday.

He has previously worn blinkers when fourth in the Victoria Derby in 2011, in his opening two races the next preparation and also first-up last campaign when unplaced in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Zabeelionaire has 59.5kg for Saturday's race with Nick Hall to ride.

Corstens has three runners entered for Flemington but before that has eyes on feature race success at Warrnambool on Wednesday with Tokugawa first-up in the Listed Wangoom Handicap (1200m).