Grahame Begg doesn’t place too much importance on barriers in 1600-metre races at Randwick which is just as well when it comes to the stable’s Doncaster runners.
Palacio De Cristal drew gate 12 while three-year-old Ilovethiscity will start from 17 in their attempts to topple More Joyous in the $2 million race.
“It’s always nice to draw well but I don’t think the barriers are too important over the mile at Randwick,” Begg said.
“There is a 600-metre straight run before the first turn.
“Sometimes it’s best to be drawn out a bit to miss any trouble.
“Both horses will get back and I’m just hoping the weather stays fine and we don’t get a wet track.”
Brenton Avdulla will be aboard Randwick Guineas winner Ilovethiscity while Kerrin McEvoy has snared the mount on Palacio De Cristal in the absence of any Darley runners.
Favourite More Joyous drew barrier eight in the 18-horse field which pleased her jockey Nash Rawiller.
“If I had a choice it would be eight,”he said.
More Joyous dominates TAB Sportsbet’s market at $2 to give trainer Gai Waterhouse her seventh Doncaster and Rawiller his second after Rangirangdoo won last year.
The Chris Waller-trained Rangirangdoo was not among the final acceptors on Tuesday with weights raised half a kilogram making More Joyous topweight with 57kg.
“She’s proven before in handicaps with big weights,” Rawiller said.
“She carried 58 (kg) in the Toorak and is the ideal horse for a race like this.”
Up and comer Triple Elegance, one of three runners for Waller, drew six with his stablemate Danleigh next to him in five and the third of the trio, Syreon, in four.
Triple Elegance is the second favourite at $7 to give Waller a third Doncaster. His first, Triple Honour in 2008, was also his inaugural Group One victory and he carried the same colours as Triple Elegance.
Jim Cassidy’s faith in Triple Elegance prompted the veteran jockey to commit to riding him at the light weight.
Hugh Bowman will keep his association with Danleigh ($21) on whom he has claimed two Group One races, the 2010 George Ryder Stakes and last month’s Chipping Norton Stakes.
Rodney Quinn takes the mount on the outsider of the stablemates, Syreon, who is a $51 chance.
Melbourne mare Aloha, winner of the Coolmore Classic, has eased slightly from $9.50 to $10 after drawing barrier 11 but remains the third elect.
AAP TURF
