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
Cavalry Girl eyes Moir Stakes repeat of history
History favours Cavalry Girl as she prepares to extend her winning sequence in the Group 1 Moir Stakes.Since the Moir Stakes was rescheduled to an early September date in 2024, both subsequent champions, Baraqiel and Mornington Glory, had achieved victory in the Carlyon Stakes (1000m) beforehand.Cavalry Girl captured the Carlyon...
Sandown Stakes race sees Maher fillies renew rivalry
The Ciaron Maher stable recently secured a top four finish in a maiden race held at Sandown.Two of the horses from that race are now set to compete in a Stakes race at Sandown, aiming to continue the successful run for the Maher stable.Saintly Dancer and Ghana's Akan, who finished...
Thebudgiesmugla seeks to maintain perfect distance record
A prominent contender in metropolitan races, Thebudgiesmugla has an impeccable record of five wins from five starts over 2400 metres and is aiming to extend this streak to six in the Drinkwise Cup at Randwick.This six-year-old gelding was one of the notable performers of the off-season, achieving victory in three...
Blind Raise commences Caulfield Guineas pursuit at Sandown
The connections of Blind Raise harbour aspirations for the colt to be a prominent contender in upcoming spring features, with his campaign set to commence at Sandown.The colt is slated to run in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1300m) on Saturday, a race that could potentially lead to a Group 1...
Green Spaces on track for spring success after Derby win
Despite being the early favourite for the Caulfield Cup and expected to excel at longer distances, jockey Rachel King believes Green Spaces has the potential to surprise in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick.The Australian Derby winner showed a good late surge when finishing eighth in the Winx Stakes (1400m) last...
Edmonds confident Extragalactic is primed for Moir Stakes
The journey for Group 1 honours for Extragalactic begins this Saturday in the $750,000 Moir Stakes at Sandown.Trainer Trent Edmonds, based in Pakenham, is set to unveil the four-year-old mare for the first time since her narrow defeat by a nose to Desert Lightning in The Goodwood, a 1000-metre weight-for-age...
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...