Eagle now wide open

Favourite draws wide barrier

IF THE $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) wasn’t already open, it became tougher to predict a winner following Tuesday’s barrier draw.

Race favourite Funstar got gate 22 so will jump from the widest barrier for Chris Waller and Tommy Berry, who will need to ride a ripper.

Waller’s racing manager and assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth was looking at the positives shortly after getting the poor barrier even though she drifted slightly from $4.40 to $4.60.

“The draw is less than ideal but she had an awkward draw in the Epsom and the horse that beat her (Probabeel) isn’t there,” Duckworth said.

“She relishes the wet and is on her home track so that’s a positive and hopefully we can take out the second Golden Eagle.”

Subpoenaed, however, drew well in barrier two.

Jay Ford will ride her and he’ll be doing his best to ensure she starts well which is the key for her.

If she misses the kick the inside draw will actually work against her as she’ll be trapped in behind a wall of horses on the home turn. “She had a perfect barrier so hopefully she can use the good draw because she can be slow away,” Duckworth said.

“She can let down hard and hopefully, with the wet track, they fan out in the straight.”

Reloaded ($51) is Waller’s other runner trying to win the race for him for the second time after Kolding took out the inaugural Golden Eagle last year.

“He’s set and ready to go and trialled well at Warwick Farm,” Duckworth said.

John Sargent’s leading Golden Eagle contender Brandenburg got barrier 14 and went from a $21 chance to $23 while Emeralds drew further out in gate 18 which doesn’t worry her trainer.

“They both enjoy the cut out of the track and I think Brandenburg is finally hitting top form,” Sargent said.

“I changed Brandenburg’s gear around and put winkers on him and he’s done a lot of jumping lately.

“He’ll be prominent from the draw and Emeralds will be back in the field. It’s a good time to go for the money.

“She’s been working beautifully. She glides over the ground and she goes into it fit and ready.”