It’s one of the most highly-anticipated Spring Carnival races and an outstanding field of three-year-olds has been confirmed for Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
The Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott-trained Thinkin’ Big has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence this season and has opened the $3.20 favourite in 2018 Victoria Derby betting.
Yet to finish outside the placings through six career starts, the High Chaparral colt returned from a freshen-up to win the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill in September and he simply did not handle the heavy going in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) earlier this month, but still hit the line well for third.
Having returned to winning form via an utterly dominant performance in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m), last time out, the step up to a mile and a half looks ideal and he will be extremely difficult to beat in the Victoria Derby.
Aramayo didn’t justify favouritism in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last weekend, but he remains the sole occupant of the second line of 2018 Victoria Derby betting.
The Poet’s Voice colt has been a strong and consistent performer this time and posted a maiden black type win in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle, before finishing second in the Spring Champion Stakes earlier two starts back.
He’s another horse that looks ready for 2400m at this point of his preparation and with appropriate luck from a central barrier, he can fight out the finish.
Interestingly only one other horse has opened at Victoria Derby odds of less-than $10 and Extra Brut ($8) could prove to be the value at his current quote.
The Domesday colt won three of his first four career starts upon debuting in August and made a successful transition to black type company when he easily took out the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) earlier this month.
He clearly did not handle the soft track when sixth in the Caulfield Classic last time out and will enjoy a return to ‘good’ going in the Victoria Derby.
There is value around every other horse in the capacity field and cases to be made for many in 2018 Victoria Derby betting.
Home Ground ($34) won the Group 3 Geelong Classic (2200m) last week and represents huge value in Victoria Derby betting, while Farooq ($15) ran a big race to finish second and will appreciate getting further out in trip.
First emergency Alessandro is sweating on a run, but he’s recorded two decent wins from three starts including one amongst open company, and $26 is worth consideration should he gain a start.