A trip to Sydney has toughened up delicate stayer Eight's A Party as he prepares to tackle the 3200 metres of Saturday's Queensland Cup at Eagle Farm.

After three early-season wins in Brisbane, trainer Darren Bell hoped Eight's A Party could measure up during the winter carnival.

But he was forced to scrap plans for the Brisbane Cup after a couple of less than satisfactory efforts including the gelding's 12th in the Chairman's Handicap in May.

"The best way to describe him is delicate. I have had to nurse him throughout his career which is why he is four and only had ten starts,' Bell said.

He said after Eight's A Party beat just one runner home in the Group Three Chairman's, he decided to take a different path with the gelding.

"We took him to the Gold Coast where he was a good second and then we headed down to Sydney for a staying race at Warwick Farm."

Eight's A Party ran second in that race behind Sense Of Occasion who is the early favourite for the 2400-metre race at Rosehill on Saturday.

Bell entered Eight's A Party for the Rosehill race but opted for the Listed Queensland Cup.

"Kerrin McEvoy rode him at Warwick Farm and told us he wanted a bigger track. He will get that at Eagle Farm on Saturday," Bell said."

"Kerrin also told us that Eight's A Party would be up to Sydney class if we stayed there. But it is a chance to race him in a Listed race and see how he goes."

Bell said Eight's A Party had lost a bit of his turn of foot.

"But he is racing more like a genuine stayer and that gives us hope for the future. The 3200 metres around Eagle Farm is tough so we will see how far he has progressed."

Eights A Party is one of a strong book of rides for Tim Bell who is within two wins of jockeys' premiership leader Michael Cahill.

Caloundra Cup winner Brayroan ($4.20) was edging Astro Avalanche ($4.50) for favouritism with the TAB on Friday with Eight's A Party an $18 chance.