Wide barrier no drawback for 2024 Melbourne Cup favourite
Despite the 3200-metre journey of the Melbourne Cup, when it comes to barrier draws the gap in starting from pole position compared to gate 21 still seems, on face value, to be a long way between being fortunate or otherwise.
Owner Ozzie Kheir part owns four runners engaged in this Tuesday’s running of the Group 1 $8.5 million event and when it came to drawing the barrier for race favourite Buckaroo, among those left were one and 21.
Barrier 21 it would be, and despite the psychological advantage a nearer position might have, he is sees it as the better option out of the two.
“I didn’t have a lot to choose from and I’d rather be in 21 than one, to be honest,” Kheir said.
“It isn’t ideal, but it is a long straight at Flemington and hopefully he settles midfield and the rest…. fingers crossed.”
Buckaroo is the $5.50 post-barrier draw betting companies favourite and will be shooting to emulate Vow And Declare’s victory back in 2019 from 21.
After a gallant second placing in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), the step up to two miles is still a task that carries some doubt.
“We’re still confident that he will run out the trip (but) there are question marks,” Kheir said.
“I genuinely think he is probably a stayer (who has been) running over shorter trips so I’ve got to have the view that if he’s good enough to win over a mile and 1800-metres, I genuinely think he’s a better horse over 2400-metres or further.”
Of Kheir’s other 2024 Melbourne Cup starters, impressive Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) winner Sea King (rated a $9 chance) drew the inside in barrier one, Interpretation ($15) in 14 and wider hope Saint George in nine.
Second-attempt Irish raider and topweight Vauban drew barrier 11 while stablemate Absurde – seventh in last year’s Melbourne Cup – drew barrier seven.
2023 VRC Oaks (2500m) winner Zardozi, who impressed today with a fifth placing in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), drew barrier four and firmed one point in markets to $17.
More Racing News
Darley australia to host retired godolphin colts tentyris and observer
A pair of Godolphin colts, each with two Group 1 wins under their belts, have ended their track careers and will stand at stud with Darley later this year.The decision to retire Tentyris and Observer was made public on Monday, seeing them allocated to Darley Australia's separate venues.By Street Boss,...
Ciaron Maher eyes four entrants for VRC St Leger
The champion stayer trainer Ciaron Maher counts one horse already locked in for Saturday's Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington, but he is pushing for substantially more involvement in the key event.Among the 28 declarations for the $200,000 2800-metre race are Awesome Artist, Noble Falcon, Intervened, and Tasmanian Derby champion...
New Zealand's Confesara eyes victory in Australasian Oaks
The track record of Roger James in capturing Australian Group 1 events for three-year-old fillies goes all the way back to the beginning of the 2000s, and he seeks to add to that tally this coming Saturday.Teaming up with co-trainer Robert Wellwood, the Kiwi conditioner has entered Confesara for the...
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...