Gai Waterhouse Thinking Big With Stayer

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He has a long way to go but Thinkin' Big's win has prompted Gai to talk him up for the .

No southern hemisphere-bred three-year-old has run in the Cup this century and the last one to be placed was the Waterhouse-trained Nothin' Leica Dane in 1995.

Now training in partnership with , Waterhouse believes Thinkin' Big is the right sort of emerging stayer to make a bid for Australia's most race after he led most of the way to win Saturday's Gloaming (1800m).

“He is nominated for the Melbourne Cup,” Waterhouse said.

“He reminds me so much of Nothin' Leica Dane and he is also in his family.”

The colt's granddam Nothin' Leica Ripa is by Nothin' Leica Dane who also won the Victoria Derby, another target for Thinkin' BIg who will next head to the Spring (2000m) at in two weeks.

With the Gloaming field reduced to five, eased Thinkin' Big ($5) to the front while had the $3 favourite Tarka on the rail.

Thinkin' Big had plenty in hand as he hit the line 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Tarka who hit a flat spot near the turn.

“He is a really nice, imposing young colt,” Clark said.

“He's got about him and has a very bright future.

“He's got a great attitude, a good cruising speed and is a really promising young stayer.

“If something had been good enough to challenge him, he still had a fair bit there.”

Tarka's trainer David Payne said he would put blinkers on the colt for the Spring Champion.

“He was too casual and needs blinkers now,” he said.

“He hit a flat spot but he needs to focus.”

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