Thinkin’ Big has enjoyed a meteoric rise to prominence through his short racing career so far and has opened a clear $3.40 favourite in 2018 Spring Champion Stakes betting this afternoon.
Saddled by the in-form partnership of Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, Thinkin’ Big was a smart winner on debut in June and continued to impress through two subsequent starts; ultimately sent for a freshen-up after winning a 1500m race at Rosehill with complete ease in July.
He was kept up to the mark with a couple of trials through August and early September, and resumed a fortnight ago for a dominant win over many of his Spring Champion Stakes rivals in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m).
Thinkin’ Big should only improve from that hit-out and the step up in trip looks ideal. Tim Clark can take the horse straight to the lead and will give them something to chase.
Dealmaker has returned a few terrific efforts this time and represents terrific value in Spring Champion Stakes betting after opening at a $7 quote.
The Dundeel colt returned from a freshen-up to finish third in the Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) before running on to finish an agonizingly-close second in the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) last time out.
Trainer Chris Waller has elected to trial the horse in the lead-up to this race and he is another galloper that should be ideally suited to the 2000m. Champion hoop Damien Oliver takes the ride and the barrier isn’t a concern as he’ll likely go back in running regardless.
There has been interest for the likes of Aramayo ($7.50), Tarka ($8.50) and Mickey Blue Eyes ($9) in early Spring Champion Stakes betting and a case to be made for each, in current form.
There’s plenty of value around several horses at longer Spring Champion Stakes odds and a horse like Irukandji could well and truly prove over the odds at his current $26 quote.
Another son of Dundeel, Irukandji enjoyed a competitive two-year-old season and won the Group 3 The Schweppervescence (1400m) before a tough run for seventh in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m).
He shook off the cobwebs with a credible performance for fourth in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) first-up this time and has continued to improve with racing and when getting out in trip; running fourth in the Stan Fox Stakes and third in the Gloaming.
Irukandji is rock-hard fit, drawn ideally to slot in behind the pace from barrier 5 and with appropriate luck, can be fighting out the finish at any old price.