John O'Shea has trained an odds-on favourite to win an Epsom Handicap but is looking to either of his two representatives this year to play a giant killing role in the feature Randwick mile.

O'Shea, who won the Epsom with Racing To Win in 2006, has Lightinthenite and Gangster's Choice in this year's renewal and is comfortable with the pair both being at double figure odds for the Group One contest.

"I prefer that (not being favourites)," O'Shea said.

"I think they are progressive young horses that sometimes can get under the guard and they are hard to measure because they are on upward spirals.

"In 12 months time you might reflect back on hopefully one or both of the horses and say, 'how did they start 20/1 in an Epsom', because they might end up pretty talented, well-performed horses.

"In an attempt to try to beat the handicapper a little bit you sort of want to run them when they are down in the weights."

O'Shea said Lightinthenite was "darn unlucky" when second first-up in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle, while Gangster's Choice was a close second to the up-and-coming Jacquinot Bay over the Randwick mile in a benchmark race two weeks ago.

Lightinthenite was at $13 on Thursday with TAB fixed odds while Gangster's Choice was the outsider of the field at $71.

"I'm not turning up there to make up the numbers," O'Shea said.

"Both horses when they came into the stable at the start of their preparations, we had the intention to run them and have them run well in the Epsom."

Champion jockey Jim Cassidy will be aboard Lightinthenite while 21-year-old Jason Collett will take his first Group One ride in Australia on Gangster's Choice.

"Jimmy's in stellar form. We've forged a really good relationship recently," O'Shea said.

"Jason has ridden a bit for us, I'm just an admirer of his ability. I think he's a wonderful young jockey."

Cassidy injured his left foot in a barrier incident at Cantebury on Wednesday but has declared himself fit for the Epsom meeting.

Collett finished his apprenticeship on Monday and rode his first winner as a senior jockey on Wednesday.

O'Shea rates the Grahame Begg-trained Secret Admirer, to be ridden by James McDonald, as the horse to beat due to her good Randwick record and weight-for-age form.

"I think if you want to win the Epsom you're going to have to beat her (Secret Admirer)," the trainer said.

George Main Stakes winner Shoot Out and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Fat Al remain equal favourites at $5 ahead of Sebring Sprint winner Ambidexter at $7.