The 2014 The Goodwood field and barrier draw has been released and is set to have a major impact on the betting market for the Group 1 event after early favourite Sistine Demon drew barrier 20.
Sistine Demon has been allocated barrier 20 for his Group 1 debut in The Goodwood this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Sistine Demon will be making his Group 1 debut in The Goodwood and has earned an opportunity at the highest level of racing after recording seven victories from his last eight starts.
The Excites gelding made his black type debut with an unlucky second in the Listed Kilmore Cup (1600m) on February 23, but quickly returned to winning form to take out the Listed Super Saturday Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 8 and the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 19.
Last year’s winner Platelet also drew towards the outside of the field and will jump from barrier 17, while Darley sprinter Sessions (barrier 16) and Gary Kennewell-trained Conservatorium (barrier 18) did not have their winning chances enhanced by the barrier draw.
One of the biggest winners from the 2014 The Goodwood barrier draw was classy filly Miracles Of Life, who will jump from barrier two when she returns to Group 1 racing for the first time since her famous win in the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Miracles Of Life failed to perform at her best in three race starts during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, but has produced a string of impressive performances in Adelaide this preparation; finishing second in the Listed Manihi Classic (1050m) and Listed Redelva Stakes (1050m) before winning the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) in dominant fashion on Saturday.
The Not A Single Doubt filly will be sold at the 2014 Magic Millions National Sale at the Gold Coast on May 28 and can further increase her value with a second Group 1 victory in The Goodwood this weekend.
Another horse in the 2014 The Goodwood field that is taking winning form into the race is Gai Waterhouse-trained Driefontein.
Driefontein, who will jump from barrier three on Saturday, made a slow start to his autumn preparation, but has flourished in two race starts in Adelaide; taking out the Group 3 Irwin Stakes (1100m) before recording her maiden win at Group 1 level in the Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) on April 26.
Bel Sprinter has been allocated the top weight of 58.5 kilograms in The Goodwood and will need to jump from the gates cleanly from barrier one on Saturday.
The son of Bel Esprit won the 2013 The Galaxy in dominant fashion and finished second behind champion Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Nine in the Krisflyer International Sprint in Singapore, but has not recorded a race win since and struggled on rain affected ground in both The Galaxy and Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Other key 2014 The Goodwood barrier draws include Smokin’ Joey (barrier 12), Essay Raider (barrier 13), Natuzzi (barrier 22), Esprit De Bullet (barrier 21), Éclair Big Bang (barrier 15) and Gregers (barrier five).
