Favourite Vilanova will have to repeat his last start winning performance at Doomben if he is to win again after drawing another wide barrier in the Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Vilanova has drawn wide in the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.

The Chris Waller trained Vilanova came up with barrier fifteen in the eighteen horse field but will jump from thirteen if the two emergencies don’t gain a start.

Vilanova jumped from gate fourteen last start and was ridden quiet by Nash Rawiller before circling the field from the 600m to score a runaway three and a half lengths win in the Group 3 $150,000 Mullins Lawyers Grand Prix Stakes (2200m) on May 24.

At Doomben Vilanova beat home Pinstripe Lane, Rudy, Amexed and Telepathic with those three year olds coming up with mixed barrier draws.

The Troy Corstens trained Pinstripe Lane drew reasonably well at nine as did Tony Gollan’s Amexed who came up with eleven, but Telepathic wasn’t as lucky and came up with the visitor’s draw again at sixteen.

The Kiwi filly was forced to race three wide for the entire race for jockey Mark Du Plessis after jumping from gate thirteen before finishing in fifth spot, five and a half lengths behind Vilanova.

Rock Diva, also from the Shaky Isles was given no favours either at the barrier draw and the Tony Pike trained filly was handed barrier fourteen.

John Sargent’s promising three year old Elusive Runner has come up with the inside gate and is certain to be given the perfect run by Tommy Berry who is flying back from Hong Kong for Stradbroke-Derby Day.

Chad Schofield takes over from Michael Rodd on Sonntag who has drawn well at seven for young Caulfield trainer Henry Dwyer.

Rodd has ridden Amexed at his last two starts and will stick with the Tony Gollan trained gelding.