Chris Waller heaped praise on Hall of Fame jockey Jim Cassidy for another special ride which landed Hawkspur the Group One Queensland Derby on Saturday.

Hawkspur sealed a perfect winter carnival campaign as he claimed the Queensland three-year-old triple crown of the Rough Habit Plate, Grand Prix Stakes and Derby at Eagle Farm.

The win gave Sydney's premier trainer his eighth Group One of the season and the first Derby of his career.

"I actually thought at the 600-metre mark that he could have even been in a little trouble when I saw Jimmy starting to move," Waller said.

"But it was another ten out of ten Jim Cassidy special, as we've been treated with over his 35 years of riding.

"It's just a privilege to now be a part of that. He's in the twilight of his career now but if he was ever riding any better, I wish I was training then."

Cassidy, 50, held his spot early after a tardy getaway and always had Hawkspur in a position to strike.

As the pressure went on and others started making their move coming to the home turn with wide runs, Cassidy kept Hawkspur, equal favourite at $4, near the inside and saved ground so the horse was challenging for the lead on straightening.

After a big look over his shoulder at the 300m mark, Cassidy let Hawkspur go and he sprinted clear to defeat Electric Fusion ($7) by 2-3/4 lengths with Honorius ($7.50) a half neck away third.

Cassidy said he went into the Classic confident Hawkspur only had to hold his recent form to be too good.

"I thought he beat them with contempt last start and I said to Chris as long as he's improved during the week and hasn't gone backwards, `they won't beat him'," Cassidy said.

Last week's Queensland Oaks winner Gondokoro wasn't able to do the double, finishing fifth.

Jockey Dwayne Dunn said Electric Fusion had to go back from a wide draw and did a terrific job to finish strongly for second while Michael Rodd had no excuses for Honorius other than he didn't run out the trip.

"I gave myself a ten out of ten for the ride. The only trouble was Jim Cassidy gave his a twelve out of 10," Rodd said.