Thought Of That Firms in 2019 Victoria Derby Betting After Dominant Ladbrokes Classic Win

Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace look to have a serious 2019 VRC Derby contender on their hands in the form of three-year-old Thought Of That.

The colt by So You Think was outstanding during Saturday’s Group 3 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield in an eye-catching three length win. Punters who got on board the $4.20 pop were left with no complaints as Thought Of That demolished the rest of the field down the straight by showcasing an electrifying turn of foot.

It wasn’t an easy run, but in-form jockey Linda Meech did a great job of finding the lead before the final turn. The pair had to work with Warning winding up from the front, only to prove no match for Thought Of That’s speed.

Thought Of That is headed to this year’s Victoria Derby as the early second-elect after a dazzling win in Saturday’s Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.

“Linda’s just going great, she’s a great rider and does a lot for the stable. She’s extremely good in front, she just rates them well. She made her intentions known that she wanted to lead, and I was getting a little bit worried when she pulled off a couple of 11’s, but she got a 13 on the outside and when you do that, you know you’re in a good spot as a leader” Maher said after the race.

In its 100^th running, the Ladbrokes Classic (previously known as the Norman Robinson) is the ideal leadup race heading into the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2.

Maher left no doubt where the horse is headed next following Saturday’s win as he intends to use the two-week break to his advantage.

“He’ll go straight in, and I’m sure he’ll improve off a great run” Maher went on to say.

Thought Of That has firmed from $11 into the $4.00 second-elect behind Shadow Hero ($2.80) ahead of the Derby, largely thanks to a simple gear change. Maher decided to race with the blinkers on for the second time on Saturday following Thought Of That’s win at Doncaster earlier this month.

Meech said after the race that the blinkers have made a big difference in the horse’s demeanour as she now eyes a ride in the Derby.

“He’s been great with the blinkers on. He’s the opposite to every other horse, they really make him switch off early, and makes him concentrate when you need him. They’ve really sort of got him on the job.

I didn’t really know him that well until we got to Ballarat, but big thanks to David Eustace, I thought this horse wasn’t really trying at all. But with the blinkers back on he’s gone even better. You love them, but you love them even more if you can win the Derby on them” Meech said.

Full Victoria Derby Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au can be viewed here.

2019 Ladbrokes Classic Results & Finishing Order

Place	#	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Margin	Br.	Wgt.	SP
1	7	THOUGHT OF THAT	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Ms Linda Meech	–	4	57kg	$4.20
2	3	WARNING	Anthony Freedman	Martin Harley	3.75L	8	57kg	$4.20
3	5	BRILLIANT VENTURE (NZ)	Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra	Jamie Mott	5.75L	7	57kg	$31
4	9	MIAMI BOUND (NZ)	Danny O’Brien	Damien Oliver	5.95L	3	55kg	$3.70F
5	2	HUNTLY CASTLE	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Jye McNeil	7.2L	9	57kg	$12
6	4	CREATOR	Peter & Paul Snowden	Damian Lane	7.6L	6	57kg	$9
7	1	POWER SCHEME	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	Brett Prebble	8.85L	2	57kg	$15
8	6	MIROKU	Phillip Stokes	John Allen	9.85L	1	57kg	$21
9	8	SERENGETI	Pat Carey	Rhys McLeod	10.6L	5	57kg	$12