Co-trainer Trent Busuttin is hoping Johnny Vinko can put himself in the Queensland Derby picture when he races at Sandown Hillside tomorrow.

A stakes-placed three-year-old, Johnny Vinko is set to face 15 rivals over 2400 metres.

"He'll really have to put his hand up to continue to the Derby, he'll have to win or at least come close on Wednesday," Busuttin, who trains with Natalie Young, said.

"It will be hard with that big weight (59.5 kilograms) against the older horses, but we're confident he'll be around the mark."