Long odds-on favourite Black Caviar has drawn barrier eight and will face 11 rivals in Saturday’s $1 million Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
The unbeaten superstar sprinter is after her 10th straight win and to do so will have to carry the highest weight, 58kg, since Shaftesbury Avenue won the race under the same impost in 1991.
The Bel Esprit four-year-old would set a modern-day weight-carrying record for a mare with Maybe Mahal having shouldered 56.5kg to win the race in 1978.
Hay List, runner-up to Black Caviar in the Lightning Stakes last month, has drawn barrier three with reigning Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily jumping from one and Star Witness, second to Black Caviar in the Patinack Farm Classic last spring, drawing two.
Oakleigh Plate winner Eagle Falls, runner-up to Wanted in last year’s Newmarket (1200m), drew the outside barrier, 12.
In the other Group One feature of the day, the $1 million Australian Cup (2000m), the favourite Heart Of Dreams drew barrier nine in a field of 15.
Precedence, out to give master trainer Bart Cummings his 14th Australian Cup, drew wide in gate 13 as did 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking in 12 and West Australian three-year-old Playing God in 11.
New Zealander Ginga Dude came up with the inside gate while Moudre fared well in barrier four and Linton came up with eight.
AAP TURF
