Craig Newitt remains steadfast in his belief Clevadude can still win the Magic Millions Classic despite the Melbourne two-year-old falling from favour with bookmakers after the barrier draw for Saturday’s race.
Newitt has the task of helping Clevadude overcome a wide alley in the $2 million feature on the Gold Coast.
The Rick Hore-Lacy-trained youngster came up with barrier 18 while his main rival, the Sydney filly Assail, drew a seemingly perfect gate.
Favourite Assail firmed from $2.80 to $2.60 after drawing the rails and Clevadude drifted from $3 to $4.
Newitt believes Assail and his mount “have got a bit on the rest” and rates the Clarry Conners-trained filly his biggest danger.
“I think if my bloke does everything right I think it (Assail) is the only horse that can beat me,” Newitt said.
“But in saying that we’ve got barrier 18 and are going to have to rely on a little bit of luck.”
Newitt, who rode Clevadude to a 4-1/2 length win at Moonee Valley last start, labelled the draw as “pretty ordinary”.
“It doesn’t get much worse than 18 but you’ve just got to try to pull a couple of positives out of it,” he said.
He said Clevadude would be one of the last horses loaded and not in the gates a long time where he could get “too relaxed”, while favourite Assail would go in early.
“I would say you would know his chances after about 50 to 100 metres,” Newitt said.
“Obviously if he doesn’t begin well we’ll have to ride him a bit quieter and he’ll need a world of luck.
“But if he does jump cleanly I’m pretty confident he’s got the speed to get across.”
A field of 16 with five emergencies was declared for the race and first reserve Architect has gained a run after the scratching of Purrific.
Sydney jockey Tommy Berry’s chances of winning three Classics on end have nosedived after Certitude drew 19.
But his Magic Millions Guineas mount fared much better.
Driefontein, last year’s Classic winner on protest over No Looking Back, has gate three.
No Looking Back has also drawn an inside barrier with the Black Shinn mount to start from stall five.
Driefontein shares Guineas favouritism at $4.50 with Sizzling after the Brisbane colt drew deep in gate 20.
