Cox Plate favourite Fawkner has been trimmed into $4 after drawing barrier four for Saturday’s weight-for-age championship at Moonee Valley.
A capacity field of 14 will run over 2040 metres with Mourinho and Chivalry missing out after 16 acceptances were taken.
“Nick [Hall] was that excited when I came back from drawing that gate [for Fawkner] I thought we had won the race,” part-owner Nick Williams said.
While the favourite drew well, fairytale horse The Cleaner will jump from the outside gate but still looks the likely leader.
Dual Doncaster winner Sacred Falls drew gate nine, while Australian Derby winner Criterion, whose rider will be finalised once Hugh Bowman’s appeal against a ban for an improper riding charge is heard on Tuesday, has barrier six.
James McDonald will ride Criterion if Bowman doesn’t win his appeal.
“He is going to be midfield and we will leaving it to James or Hughie,” Criterion’s trainer David Payne said.
Meanwhile, up and coming Terravista is still at the top of betting for Friday night’s Manikato Stakes.
The world’s best rated sprinter Lankan Rupee remains second at $4 after drawing gate nine, while defending champion Buffering has gate four and is $6 chance.
Cox Plate barrier draw:
SACRED FALLS (NZ) – 9
FAWKNER – 4
SIDE GLANCE (GB) – 7
HAPPY TRAILS – 2
FORETELLER (GB) – 1
THE CLEANER – 14
GUEST OF HONOUR (IRE) – 10
CRITERION (NZ) – 6
SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) – 11
ROYAL DESCENT – 3
ADELAIDE (IRE) – 13
ALMALAD – 8
SWEYNESSE – 12
WANDJINA – 5
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