An inside barrier has boosted Straight Albert’s chances of adding the Gosford Gold Cup to a flourishing record under trainer Guy Walter.
Straight Albert was the biggest winner among the leading fancies from Monday’s barrier draw and he will start from gate one in the $125,000 provincial feature on Thursday.
The former country galloper has thrived under Walter’s care, winning the Goulburn Cup, the Tattersalls Club Cup and a benchmark city race.
Fourteen horses accepted for the Listed race with the Gai Waterhouse-trained King Lionheart to start from the widest gate.
Summer Cup winner Yulalona fared only marginally better with gate 11.
Luck also deserted Chris Waller’s two runners, Wazn and Alexander Of Hales, who drew 12 and 13 respectively.
Leading Melbourne trainer Peter Moody has sent in-form Zabeel mare Zoomania north for the race and she will start from barrier three.
Zoomania has won two of her past three starts in Melbourne, including a five-length victory over 2000m at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
Scouting Wide, a disappointment in the Summer Cup, will start alongside Straight Albert in gate two while front-running Legsman has drawn the middle of the field in barrier eight.
AAP TURF
