Part owner and breeder Phil Bennet is hoping for a change of luck for his three year old High ‘N’ Dry after drawing another wide barrier in the Group 3 $120,000 AAMI Chairman’s Stakes (2035m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Co-trainer Mathew Ellerton, above, will saddle up High 'N' Dry in the Chairman's Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Co-trainer Mathew Ellerton, above, will saddle up High ‘N’ Dry in the Chairman’s Stakes at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

High ‘N’ Dry has had no luck with the barrier draws and has drawn double digit gates at all his five race starts and will jump from the outside gate in the Chairman’s Stakes field that has been reduced to twelve runners following the early scratchings of Californiagrandcru and Slick Back.

Two starts back High ‘N’ Dry broke through for his maiden win from barrier thirteen in a 1600m Sandown Maiden and then finished third from barrier fifteen in the Listed $110,000 Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 14.

“He’s drawn 13 of 15, 16 of 16 and now 14 of 14. He’s due for a bit of luck with barriers,’’ Bennett told The Advertiser.

“Hopefully that will be in the Derby. That’s been his main aim this campaign.”

Bennett is hoping for a another top performance in the Chairman’s Stakes to give co-trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra plenty of hope in preparing High ‘N’ Dry for the Group 1 $600,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 12.

High ‘N’ Dry has been solid in the betting for the Chairman’s Stakes at $4.40 with Ladbrokes.com.au behind the $3 favourite Leicester and Greycliffe at $3.90.

The Darren Weir trained Leicester is coming off a last start fourth in the Port Adelaide Guineas but has come in for some solid support in the Chairman’s Stakes according to Labbrokes.com.au spokesman Tom Hackett.

“Leicester is out best-backed runner. He’s making up more than 50 per cent of our hold in the race,’’ Ladbrokes Tom Hackett said.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.