Ladbrokes NT Derby winner Billet Doux has been an early firmer in the betting for the $200,000 Carlton Mid Darwin Cup (2000m) at Fannie Bay in Darwin on August 7.

Royal Request, above, will carry the top weight in the 2017 Darwin Cup at Fannie Bay. Photo by Jenny Barnes.

Early betting for the Darwin Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au has the Michael Hickmott trained Lieder as the $4 favourite while Billet Doux is now the second pick at $5 after $6 was bet when the market opened at the beginning of last week.

Billet Doux finished an unlucky fourth two starts back in the $70,000 Darwin Guineas (1600m) at Fannie Bay in Darwin on July 8 but then put himself into Darwin Cup calculations with a dominant four lengths win in the $135,000 Ladbrokes NT Derby (2000m) at Fannie Bay in Darwin on July 22.

NT Derby winning trainer Sheila Arnold was happy that Billet Doux could show everybody his true ability after being boxed in on the fence before finishing fourth to Krusty in the NT Guineas.

“Unlucky in the Guineas when caught on the fence, but that’s racing,” Arnold said.

“A long striding, horse he needed more room, but full credit to Krusty.

“The Derby was our main aim as he is proven over 2000m, but we’ll wait and see how he pulls up.”

Jockey Paul Shiers said that he wasn’t going to get locked away on the fence again on after what happened in the NT Guineas and Billet Doux proved to be the best three year old in the Ladbrokes NT Derby.

“He went on to win as if he was the best horse in the race,” Shiers said.

“I wasn’t going to get cramped up like I did in the Guineas and once he found his rhythm at the 600m he just kicked away.”

Billet Doux is one of twenty-two horses nominated for the Darwin Cup and has been handicapped on the minimum with 54kg but is guaranteed a spot in the final twelve horse field after becoming exempt from the ballot with his win in the Ladbrokes NT Derby.

Early market order for the 2017 Darwin Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Lieder, $5 Billet Doux, $5.50 Royal Request, $7.50 Folk Tales, $8.50 Unbreakable, $11 Pretty Blonde, Saturday Sorcerer, $13 Whistle Stop, $15 Harrebs Time, $17 Abu Dhabi, Moon Devil, $21 Wexford Town, Spartan Eagle, $26 Electric Crimson, $51 Flying Tormenta, $67 New Empire, $101 Arctic Song, Best Case, Hammered Art, Overdane, Supercoach, War Story.

Weights for the 2017 Darwin Cup (2000m)