3 minute read
Drawing barrier one a big plus for Sir Simon.
Bold front-runner Sir Simon has been installed favourite to take out Wednesday's $100,000 Ladbrokes Devonport Cup courtesy of a favourable barrier draw that could set the race up for the gallant grey gelding.
Sir Simon ($3.40) will start from gate one that will enable rider David Pires to allow the Scott Brunton-trained eight-year-old the luxury of using no excess energy to take up his normal role.
Brunton will saddle up three of the 12 starters with his consistent mare Queen La Diva also drawing well in gate three while the enigmatic Jeremiah will start from barrier eight.
"I was rapt when Sir Simon drew gate one as that will help him enormously," Brunton said.
"All three of my runners will line up in terrific order, so all they need is that little bit of luck that every horse needs to win a big race."
Brunton has always believed Sir Simon had what it takes to win a big race and he says the ghostly grey gets his chance on Wednesday.
"I thought he would win the Sheffield Cup but for some reason he dropped the bit at the 600m.
"He was coming again to finish fourth but there was only a half-length between the first five across the line."
Mywordis won the Sheffield Cup and while he is one of the least seasoned in the field, his form is outstanding having won three and been placed second twice from his five starts this preparation.
He tackled the weight-for-age Mowbray Stakes last season and wasn't disgraced but he is a much better horse this time in and must be respected.
Swoop Dog ($4) starts from gate 10 and his stablemate Glass Warrior has the outside barrier (12), but it doesn't seem to bother their trainer John Blacker.
"Gate 10 presents no issues for Swoop Dog because I would have expected him to drift back and find a spot somewhere beyond midfield and Glass Warrior always settles near the rear so her outside gate isn't an issue.
"Both horses worked brilliantly on the grass at Longford on Monday morning, so they are both ready to roll."
Swoop Dog was the fastest finisher in the Sheffield Cup, and he should appreciate stepping up to 1880m, while Glass Warrior is probably already looking for 2200m or more, but her Sheffield Cup run was enormous, and she could win without surprising.
Eastender hasn't started since finishing last in last year's Hobart Cup and was expected to be retired but back with Barry Campbell the former Devonport Cup winner has trialed brilliantly and could cause at upset at odds, despite lugging top weight of 62.5kg.
Golden Mile winner White Hawk also has drawn ideally in gate four as his trainer Angela Brakey usually prefers him to settle midfield and preferably one-off with cover and rider Mehmet Ulucinar should be able to find a slot in that or a similar position.
The interesting runner is the Siggy Carr-trained and ridden Tavirun that had his first start for the stable for a fifth to Swoop Dog in a benchmark 76 handicap over 1400m in Launceston four weeks ago and he has since trialed in Hobart for an easy going third over 1400m.
Tavirun is from the Trent Bussutin and Natalie Young stable in Victoria and won three in succession at Caulfield back in June-July 2019, but his more recent form is only moderate.
