Gai Waterhouse thinking big with Derby-Cup double

Saturday’s Caulfield meeting provided telling pointers to next months classics — the Victoria Derby and VRC Oaks.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse with Victoria Derby favourite Thinkin’ Big after the tough colt’s win in the Ladbrokes Classic. Picture: AAP

Saturday’s Caulfield three-year-old form is shaping as the best guide to Flemington’s two Group 1 classics next month — the $2 million Victoria Derby and the $1 million VRC Oaks.

And perhaps to even greater heights for the new $3 Derby favourite Thinkin’ Big, following the well-bred colt’s super-impressive all-the-way win in the Group 111 Caulfield Classic (2000m).

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse was so impressed by the High Chaparral colt’s fourth win that consideration is being given to a Cox Plate start on Saturday or the more likely scenario of a Melbourne Cup start should he win the Derby.

Verry Elleegant tightened her grip on the Oaks with her third win in five starts when she ran home stylishly from midfield to win the Ethereal Stakes over 2000 metres. The Darren Weir-trained former New Zealand filly is the $2.50 Oaks favourite, shortening from the $4 on offer before Saturday.

Thinkin’ Big could follow the same path Waterhouse took in 1995 with Caulfield Classic and Victoria Derby winner Nothin’ Leica Dane, who then was runner-up to Doriemus in the Melbourne Cup three days later.

“He is such a talent, he is such a beautiful horse with a lovely turn of foot,” she said. “We brought him down for the Derby, but we will just let the dust settle before deciding on his program.”

Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes runner-up Chapada firmed from $13 to $8 for the Derby even though the gelding will need to find three lengths on the favourite over the extra 500 metres. Trainer Mike Moroney, who is chasing his third Victoria Derby having won the classic in 1997 with Second Coming and in 2009 with Monaco Consul, said all three had different characteristics. “He’s probably a little bit similar to Monaco Consul but a bit stronger,” Moroney said. “Monaco Consul had a month between runs before he won the Derby and he was quite slow maturing, whereas Second Coming was quite a mature three-year-old.

“We’ll probably go straight into the Derby without another run. He’s a laid-back horse so we’ll give it a bit of thought. This guy’s very professional for the fact that he’s had very limited racing.”

Chapada, who broke his maiden status at his previous run at Wangaratta, was having just his fourth start on Saturday when he came from fourth on the turn.

While Weir appears to have a strong chance of winning his first VRC Oaks with Verry Eleegant, there were some solid efforts behind her on Saturday, and none better than the fourth-placed Collectable.

The $300,000 Melbourne Premier yearling purchase made up enormous ground from last at the 800-metre mark — she was still 12th on the turn — to be beaten less than four lengths at her fourth start and first try at the distance. Following Collectable’s eye-catching run from the widest draw, the Robbie Griffiths-trained Seebring maiden firmed in Oaks betting from $101 to $17.

Jockey Craig Williams, who has won the VRC Oaks twice before — Miss Finland in 2006 and Brazilian Pulse in 2010 — expects the form out of the race to line up for the Oaks.

“From where she was positioned she was the best closer looking towards the Oaks,” he said. “I love her development.’’

Whether Williams partners her on Thursday fortnight will depend on what Weir does with Thousand Guineas (1600m) winner Amphitrite, who may stay at 1600 metres in the Group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington on Saturday week. Amphitrite remains in the Oaks market as a $5 second favourite.

Weir is expected to reveal Verry Elleegant’s program as early as today, deciding whether she will run in the Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday or in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on November 3.

“Or do we hope that we’ve got her fit enough to go straight to the VRC Oaks,” Weir said.