Trainer Mark Kavanagh has watched on from Moonee Valley as Magicool broke through for a Group One Derby win in Queensland.

Having finished fifth in the Victoria Derby and fourth in the South Australian Derby this season, Magicool made his run on the outside in the straight to win Saturday's Queensland Derby after covering ground.

"Third time lucky. He's obviously got better with practice, hasn't he," Kavanagh said.

Kavanagh's son Levi, his stable foreman, travelled with Magicool to Queensland last week.

The trainer said he had been hopeful going into Saturday's race, based on Magicool's previous Derby runs and the reduced distance of this season's edition from 2400m at Eagle Farm to 2200m at Doomben.

"I've been open to say that 2200 metres would probably be better for him," Kavanagh said.

"He's been in front in two Derbys at that point and this one was 300 metres shorter than they have been.

"He had trained on so well since Adelaide and last start was such a fighting win. So it was really good."

Kavanagh expected Magicool to be closer in the run but said he didn't anticipate the speed being as genuine.

"From the 800-metre mark I was pretty happy," he said.