Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Gai Waterhouse has set her sights on higher targets for Thinkin’ Big who will step out as the favourite for the 2018 Group 1 $500,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Thinkin’ Big, above, is the favourite for the 2018 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Another strong performance by Thinkin’ Big on Saturday will see the colt head to Melbourne to run in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3.

Waterhouse declared Thinkin’ Big was in top shape with a twitter post and indicated a Melbourne Spring Carnival campaign was imminent.

“Last start Gr3 winner is THINKIN’ BIG ahead of SAT’s Gr1 Spring Champion Stks at Royal Randwick. The rising star is spot on for his toughest test to date with sights set on the time honoured VRC Derby,” Waterhouse tweeted.

Thinkin’ Big is a clear cut favourite for the Spring Champion Stakes at $3.50 with Ladbrokes.com.au on the back off his first up all the way win in the Group 3 $200,000 360DMG Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on September 22.

The Gloaming Stakes was only Thinkin’ Big’s fourth race starts but he showed his class and stamina when he held off all of the challenges to record a dominant win in the Gloaming Stakes.

Tim Clark will ride the High Chaparral colt again and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained three year old is certain to set the pace again from barrier seven in the twelve horse field.

On the second line of betting at $7 is the Chris Waller trained Dealmaker who will jump from barrier eleven with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

Dealmaker has recovered from a slight setback and even though he missed a run in the Gloaming Stakes, Waller is confident he will be up to running out a strong 2000m in the Spring Champion Stakes.

Next in the betting at $7.50 is the James Cummings trained Aramayo just ahead of Tarka at $8, Frankely Awesome at $9 and Mickey Blue Eyes at $9.50.