Robert Sangster Stakes winner Spright remains the favourite for the 2019 Group 1 $750,000 The Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday despite drawing the outside barrier.
Spright, above, remains the favourite for The Goodwood despite drawing the outside gate. Photo by Steve Hart.
Spright will jump from the extreme outside gate in the sixteen horse field and will have to repeat her near last to first win in the Group 1 $600,000 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville a fortnight ago.
The Goodwood betting at Ladbrokes.com.au still has Spright at the top of the market order at $3.80 ahead of Robert Sangster Stakes runner up Cool Passion at $6.
Damien Oliver was aboard Spright for her late finishing Robert Sangster Stakes win and he will have to ride a similar race again in The Goodwood.
Second favourite Cool Passion will meet Spright 2kg better at the weights and Barend Vorster will be able to have the Tony McEvoy trained mare out of trouble in or near the lead from barrier two.
Assistant trained Calvin McEvoy can see Vorster taking advantage of Cool Passion’s good gate and try to steal the race from the front.
“It’s an ideal draw for Cool Passion,’’ assistant trainer Calvin McEvoy said.
“Hopefully she’ll be able to find the lead and should get a beautiful run in transit from there.”
McEvoy will also saddle $13 chance Despatch who will jump from gate four with Todd Pannell in the saddle while Oakleigh Plate winner Booker was also out of luck at the barrier draw, coming up gate fifteen for Dwayne Dunn, and is listed at $9.50 at Ladbrokes.com.au.
