Thinkin’ Big is on track for the Victoria Derby next month after securing an impressive third-up win in the Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield on Saturday.

After leading for most of the journey, the $3.80 second-elect showed a tremendous turn of foot to kick away down the straight and win by three lengths, leading the three-year old into Derby favourtism from $7.50 into $4.00.

Thinkin’ Big is the new Victoria Derby favourite after claiming the Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo Credit: Bruno Cannatelli.

Having now won three of his five career starts, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s lightly raced colt certainly has a very bright future.

“You can really push your chest and have a smile on your face when you have a winner like that” Waterhouse said after the race.

“He’s such a talented colt, he’s such a beautiful horse, he’s got a lovely turn of foot.”

While Thinkin’ Big is the Derby favourite, he’s also nominated for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) early next month. When asked on which path the stable would choose, Waterhouse said they weren’t prepared to make an immediate decision.

“We’ll sleep on it tonight, we’ve got a few days we don’t have to make up our mind immediately, and we’ve already discussed it with Adrian, we’ll just see how he comes out from today” Waterhouse said.

Thinkin’ Big has firmed in the Cup market from long $101 odds into $51 with Ladbrokes. After a very disciplined ride for the Waterhouse stable, it’s likely we see jockey Tim Clark take the reins again next time out.

“He’s a lovely horse, easy to do anything with, the old cliche, he’s just push button variety” Clark said after the win.

After drawing barrier one, Clark held Thinkin’ Big to the fence for the entirety, a move that proved clever for the pairs winning chances.

“I think a few horses that sat closer to the inside ran well, but first time around Caulfield I wanted to give him something to follow, I didn’t want him looking around or rolling around too much, he just had that security blanket there to help him.”

Full Victoria Derby odds can be seen below.