By Adam Hamilton
Not even a back row draw will stop star Kiwi stayer Smolda from starting favourite to successfully defend his Hunter Cup crown.
An early gasp went through the big crowd at the Caduceus Club barrier draw event – held at the famous Melboune Cricket Ground last night – when Smolda snared gate nine, two-out on the back row.
At that stage there were still lots of front row draws left and Smolda’s main rival, Lennytheshark, didn’t have a barrier.
Trainer David Aiken’s moments of optimism ended in disappointment when Lennytheshark drew the worst remaining barrier – the worst possible in the race – outside the back row (gate 13).
“I’m not having much luck in these big races draws, am I?” Aiken grinned.
It was a reference to the fact Hectorjayjay drew outside the front in the Perth Inter Dominion final, then the second line when he struck early trouble and lost all chance behind Lazarus in last week’s Victoria Derby.
Smolda’s barrier nine suddenly looked a lot better.
“You’d rather have the front (row), but he’s picked-up well after being a little flat following the Ballarat Cup win. I’m really happy with him,” trainer-driver Mark Purdon.
“He’s racing in fantastic form and he’s such a great stayer.”
If the emergency Adam Cartwright (gate one) doesn’t gain a start, Smolda will trail out quick beginner Allblack Stride (gate two).
It will be a big shock if Smolda doesn’t settle well in front of Lennytheshark in the early stages, which gives him an advantage.
The Aussie TAB installed Smolda and Lennytheshark $3.20 equal favourites straight after the draw, but punters quickly smashed Smolda into $2.30 while Lennytheshark eased to $3.50.
“I’d have loved a better draw, but I am extremely happy with the horse, His work last Saturday was fantastic and it should be a strong staying test, which suits him,” Aiken said about Lennytheshark.
The market mover after the draw was last week’s Victoria Cup third placegetter Bling It On, who drew gate five and firmed from $10 to $5 on the Aussie TAB.
The other Kiwi in the race, Barry Purdon’s Hug The Wind, drew poorly in gate 11 and is an $18 shot.
HUNTER CUP BARRIER DRAW
Front row
1 – Adam Cartwright (emerg, $201)
2 – Yayas Hot Spot – $18
3 – Allblack Stride – $17
4 – Ideal Success – $31
5 – Bling It On – $4.80
6 – Cruz Bromac – $18
7 – Messini – $81
Back row
8 – Guaranteed – $15
9 – Smolda – $2.30
10 – Im Corzin Terror – $41
11 – Hug The Wind – $18
12 – Young Modern – $31
13 – Lennytheshark – $3.50
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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