News Article
Contrasting Barriers For Star Vic Cup Duo
16 December 2008
Melpark Major has barrier one in Saturday night's $375,000 Group 1 Victoria Cup
This afternoon’s SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup barrier draw did little to clear up what may happen in Saturday night’s $375,000 event at Moonee Valley with the two star attractions drawing the extreme barrier positions.
Pre-draw favourite Melpark Major retains his place at the head of the Group 1 market after drawing barrier one, while 2006 Victoria Cup champion Blacks A Fake has the horror outside-back-row alley of 12 to contend with.
In the past dozen Victoria Cups, only once has a horse come from a double-figure barrier to win the Barastoc Grand Circuit feature.
Gate one is the most successful barrier in that period with three wins, but there is doubt about whether it’s the ideal barrier for the Alan Tubbs-trained, Amy Tubbs-driven five-year-old who has rarely been tested from the mobile start.
The big winner at the draw was Miracle Mile hero Divisive. The Peter Rixon-trained-and-driven six-year-old landed barrier three, but that will become gate two if emergency Ultimate Mark doesn’t get a run.
The other New South Wales representative, Iron Hudge, will start alongside Divisive in barrier four, Saturday night’s Popular Alm FFA winner I Am Sam drew barrier five, defending champion Robin Hood gate six for the third-straight year, while Decorated Jasper has the horror outside alley.
New Zealand’s representatives, Auckland Cup winner Gotta Go Cullen and New Zealand Cup winner Changeover, both drew the back row – barriers eight and 10 respectively – with Cranbourne Cup winner Mister Swinger in between them. Completing the field is Manwarra Goforgold, who was allotted barrier 11.
The SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup (2575m) is race eight on a bumper 10-race card and will be run at 10pm (AEST).
The night’s other Group 1 feature is the SEW-Eurodrive Bill Collins Trotters Mile (1609m), for which barriers were also drawn at this afternoon’s luncheon.
Sundons Gift’s quest to join Take A Moment as the only winner of the coveted Australian Trotting Grand Prix-Bill Collins Trotters Mile double received a boost when the Chris Lang-trained star drew ideally in barrier two.
Viva La Fever drew alongside the favourite for the $50,000 feature in barrier three, Sundons Gift’s stablemate Skyvalley will start from gate eight with Billy Royle to roll from barrier nine.
