While champion sprinter Lankan Rupee will be missing in action for some time yet, trainer Mick Price still has a couple of more-than-handy autumn Group One contenders.

Extreme Choice's debut win in the Inglis Nursery at Randwick on Saturday has confirmed Price's opinion he can be a force in the juvenile features.

The colt will have a short break while Price and his owners plot his autumn campaign while stablemate Tarzino is nearing a return to serious work before his mission to add the Australian Derby to his Victoria Derby win.

Since his Classic victory on October 31, Tarzino has been keeping his eye in at an equestrian school.

"He's been doing plenty of work on the flat in the arena," Price said.

"His temperament is fantastic.

"There isn't a great turnaround to the autumn so he will have a light campaign.

"The idea is to have one run into the Australian Guineas and then maybe one run into the Australian Derby.

"He will be a great four-year-old so we don't want to overtax him."

Tarzino and NZ 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant are the $4.60 equal favourites in first markets for the Derby on April 2.

Five-time Group One winner Lankan Rupee was found to have a problem with a foot after his third in the Schillaci Stakes and underwent arthroscopic surgery.

"He will have a decent time off and won't be back until the spring," Price said.

Price will spend some time this week working out the best plan for Extreme Choice.

The Inglis Nursery was restricted to graduates of William Inglis sales and as such, the colt's prize money won't count towards the Golden Slipper, the option the trainer was leaning towards post-race.

"He may not be able to do both the Blue Diamond and the Golden Slipper and the Slipper might fit in better," he said.

"But he has to win a race to get in."

After his win, Extreme Choice entered the market for the Golden Slipper on March 19 as a $15 chance.

Capitalist is the TAB's early favourite at $8 ahead of Astern with Extreme Choice, Calliope and Defcon on the third line.