Jockey Tim Bell has declared Queensland Derby hopeful Lever Lever a certainty beaten at Doomben on Wednesday, a defeat which could cost him a start in the Group One staying feature.

Lever Lever finished third in the Quest Breakfast Creek Handicap (2220m), picking up $5000 prize money which puts him 22nd in the order of entry for the Derby on Saturday week which is restricted to 18 runners.

Starting at $4 the gelding was beaten a half neck and a neck by Pop `n' Scotch ($12) and Deckhand ($3) in a race many were using as a last ditch attempt to get into the Derby field.

Bell was adamant Lever Lever should have won after he was held up for a run at the top of the straight.

"I know it is a big call but if I had got into the clear sooner I am sure I would have out-stayed them. It was a good pointer to a staying race," Bell said.

Trainer Matt Dunn confirmed Lever Lever would run in the Derby if the attrition rate was significant enough.

"One thing I am sure is he will stay and a few of the others won't," Dunn said.

Pop 'n' Scotch gave owner Nathan Tinkler another winner in the days before his Patinack Farm operation is transferred to new owners.

However, the horse is unlikely to contest the Derby while Deckhand is also an outside chance because of his low prize money.

Trainer Kelly Doughty said the fourth placed Arki would also miss the blue ribband in favour of easier assignments.

While Bell was out of luck with Lever Lever, he atoned with a win on the Natalie McCall-trained Palais Court in the Gallopers Sports Club Handicap (1110m).

Bell is among a group of jockeys Dunn plans to use following an injury to his stable rider Glen Colless who was ruled out for a month after hurting his tail bone at the Gold Coast barrier trials on Tuesday.

Palais Court races in the same colours as McCall's top sprinter River Lad who will contest the Stradbroke Handicap on Saturday week.

"Let's hope it is an omen. But Palais Court has been racing better since we have been going forward on her so there should be more wins around the corner," McCall said.