News Article
Grand Prix Barrier Draw
01 December 2009
Skyvalley has a back-row draw to contend with in his long-awaited clash with stablemate Sundons Gift
Sundons Gift has the barrier to continue his domination of the SEW-Eurodrive Australian Trotting Grand Prix after drawing ideally for Friday night’s $100,000 Group 1 event at Tabcorp Park, Melton.
The Chris Lang-trained eight-year-old, who is shooting for a third-straight win in the maiden running of the event at Tabcorp Park, will start from barrier three in the 2240-metre mobile.
He won his first Grand Prix from the coveted pole and rolled from gate four last year.
The barrier draw was conducted this morning at Harness Racing Victoria headquarters ahead of the SEW-Eurodrive Victoria Cup Carnival Golf Day, held for the first time at Eynsebury, which traditionally launches the $824,000 extravaganza to be held over the next two Friday nights.
While Sundons Gift drew well, he faces his strongest opposition yet in a Grand Prix.
Kiwi visitor and former Victoria Trotters Derby champion Springbank Richard, a last-start winner of the Dominion Handicap, shapes as the horse to beat from barrier one, while Sundons Gift’s superstar stablemate Skyvalley has been allocated barrier 10.
The dual Breeders Crown champion, a winner of his past six starts, will come into gate nine if emergency False Gem (eight) doesn’t get a run.
Save A Sixpence (two), Ronerail (four) and Viva La Fever (seven) were other high-profile locals to draw the front line, while Will Trapper (nine) and Acacia Ridge (13) both have tricky back-row draws to contend with.
