Premier trainer Darren Weir admits that his two runners, Extra Brut and Savoie, are facing tough assignments from wide barriers in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Extra Brut, above in yellow and blue colours, has to overcome a wide barrier in the 2018 Victoria Derby at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Extra Brut drew barrier fifteen in the original draw but could come into gate thirteen in the final sixteen horse field if both of the emergencies fail to gain a start while Savoie looks likely to jump from gate fifteen.
Weir can see Extra Brut and Savoie enjoying getting back to Flemington after recent wins there but knows both colts will need plenty of luck in the short run to the first turn from the 2500m start.
Extra Brut was a winner two starts back over 1800m at Flemington in the Listed $120,000 UCI Stakes on October 6 before finishing sixth at Caulfield in the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) two weeks later.
Savoie was also a winner at Flemington three starts back in an 1800m three year old Plate and is coming off a last start second to Stars Of Carrum in the Group 2 $200,000 Drummond Golf Vase (2040m) at The Valley last Saturday.
“Extra Brut will like getting back to Flemington for sure,” Weir wrote in his column on Racenet.
“He might have looked a bit plain at Caulfield but deserves his chance. The alley isn’t much help, but he will present well on Saturday.”
“Savoie probably hasn’t got many options from its draw but to push forward I suppose. He also likes Flemington too, he was strong again last Saturday and Dean (Yendall) seems to think he shied away from a truck on the course before the home turn, whether that had any say in the outcome I don’t know but he is fit and well.”
John Allen gets the ride again on Extra Brut while Dean Yendall has retained the mount on Savoie.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained front running Thinkin’ Big has drawn in the middle of the field and looks the likely leader going out of the straight the first time.
Thinkin’ Big is the winner of two of his last three starts and his Victoria Derby jockey Tim Clark has been aboard the High Chaparral colt’s all the way wins in the Group 3 $200,000 360DMG Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on September 22 and in the Ladbrokes Classic.
Thinkin’ Big is the ruling Victoria Derby favourite at $3.40 with Ladbrokes.con.au while Extra Brut is marked at $9.50 just ahead of Savoie at $10.
The James Cummings trained Aramayo aat $6.50 and Drummond Golf Vase winner Stars Of Carrum at $9 are also well in contention in the Victoria Derby betting.
