The barrier draw for the final field for the 2018 Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday had mixed results for several of the fancied runners.

Thinkin’ Big, above, is the favourite for the 2018 Victoria Derby at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Thinkin’ Big cemented favouritism for the Victoria Derby after drawing barrier nine in the final sixteen horse field plus two emergencies and heads the betting at $3 with Ladbrokes.com.au.

Thinkin’ Big is the winner of two of his last three starts and set the pace last start to win the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield on October 20.

Tim Clark will have no trouble finding the front on the free running Thinkin’ Big by the time they hit the first turn out of the straight while John Allen on the Darren Weir trained Extra Brut (barrier 15) and Dean Yendall on stablemate Savoie (barrier 17) will be desperately trying to find some cover at the wining post the first time after jumping from wide gates.

Savoie also has early speed and led at his latest start when second to Stars Of Carrum in the Group 2 $200,000 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley last Saturday while Extra Brut settled in the second half of the field two starts back when he ran home to win the Listed $120,000 UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 6.

Co-trainer Adrian Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said that Thinkin’ Big has come through his last start win in the Ladbrokes Classic in great order and they are anticipating another bold showing in the Victoria Derby.

“Thinkin’ Big’s super, he came through his Caulfield win in great shape,’’ Bott told The Daily Telegraph.

“Physically he has really come on since his last start and hopefully we have got the right horse for the Derby.

“The Derby is what we set out to do, what we set out to achieve.”

“It’s a prestigious race, we would love to be able to win it and this way we are giving him his chance.

“He has had a good grounding for the Derby and he is bred to see out the 2500m.’’

On the second line of betting at $6.50 is the James Cummings trained Aramayo (Tye Angland, barrier 10) who is coming off a last start third in the Drummond Golf Vase while Extra Brut is marked at $8 just ahead of Savoie at $10.

Betting for the 2018 Victoria Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3 Thinkin’ Big, $6.50 Aramayo, $8 Extra Brut, $10 Savoie, $11 Chapada, $13 Sikorsky, Stars Of Carrum, Mickey Blue Eyes, $15 Farooq, Savvy Oak, $26 Alessandro, Visao, $31 Home Ground, $51 Tolemac, Grinzinger Star, Vow And Declare, $101 Louie The Legend, Sebarate.

Final field for the 2018 Victoria Derby (2500m)