As teenagers Tom and Don Clarke only regret about playing First XV rugby was that the games were on Saturdays and they missed seeing some great winter carnival moments.

Forty years later the Clarkes and their younger brother David get a chance to write themselves into racing history with their horse Rudy in the Group One Queensland Derby (2400m).

Racing has always played a major role for the Clarkes, from Chinchilla on Queensland's western Downs, and their family raced many good horses including the top stayer of the 1960-70s Casawynk.

Tom and Don played in separate rugby teams at Brisbane Grammar in the early 1970s and Rudy races in the school's football colours of light blue and dark blue.

"We have always bred and raced horses, it is a big part of our lives," Tom Clarke said.

"All we really hoped for with Rudy was to get a Saturday winner but it has been a wonderful trip already.

"We have Rudy in the right hands with Helen and John Page. They have done a wonderful job with him."

Helen Page has won the past two Gold Coast trainers' premierships and gives much of the credit to her husband John, who won the three east coast Derbys with Royal Sovereign in 1964.

The Victoria Racing Club has invited the Pages to the Victoria Derby in November to mark the 50 years since John achieved the rare feat.

Tommy Smith is the only other trainer to win the ATC, Victoria and Queensland Derbys in the one season with Tulloch (1957) and Silver Sharpe (1970).

Page is also hopeful the booking of top Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman is also an omen.

Bowman, who is currently riding on contract in Hong Kong, has won the Victoria Derby (Polanski) and the ATC Derby (Criterion) this season.

He flies back to ride Rudy after partnering him in the Grand Prix.

Page and Bowman have already combined for big race success, winning the 2004 Golden Rose with Doonan.

Rudy has won five of his 13 starts and goes to the Derby as a $16 chance after his third behind $4.80 equal favourites Vilanova and Pinstripe Lane in the Grand Prix Stakes last Saturday week.

The talented but enigmatic Vilanova claimed his third win from 22 starts in the Grand Prix and will be out to give trainer Chris Waller back-to-back Derby wins following Hawkspur's 2013 victory.