Trainer Brian Wakefield thought he was dreaming after learning winter carnival hopeful Denarius had drawn an inside barrier at Doomben on Saturday.
Denarius is a promising horse which has won two races but barrier draws haven’t been kind during the three-year-old’s in a seven-start career.
Wakefield had accepted with Denarius 12 times and not once did the gelding get a single-digit barrier in the original draw.
But it has proven 13th time lucky for Denarius who will come from the rails in the Silky Smooth and Speedy Handicap(1350m).
“We were virtually forced to run seven times but we scratched him the other five. The fact he has raced so well has been a credit to him,” Wakefield said.”
“Lets hope this time he doesn’t shy at the fence. He has never seen it before.”
Wakefield has a huge opinion of Denarius and rates the galloper highly enough to make winter carnival plans.
He believes Denarius will be well placed in the Group Two Queensland Guineas in May which will be run over 1350m at Doomben.
Wakefield has an added incentive for Denarius to win a stakes race because he owns the gelding’s dam Praia Vermelha.
“We actually gave his dam away but after we knew how good Denarius was we got her back and sent her back to his sire Red Element,” Wakefield said.
