Good barrier is the key for Sold For Song in Tattersall’s Tiara

A good barrier draw is the key for Sold For Song finding a change of luck in the Group 1 $500,000 Sky Racing Tattersall’s Tiara (1350m) at Doomben on Saturday.

Sold For Song, above, has drawn a good barrier in the Tattersall's Tiara at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Sold For Song, above, has drawn a good barrier in the Tattersall’s Tiara at Doomben. Photo by Steve Hart.

Since January Song For Song has had to contend with double digit barriers five times from seven starts and trainer Kevin Kemp is anticipating the mare being amongst the major end of the prizemoney after drawing barrier five in the original draw.

A final field of sixteen fillies and mares plus five emergencies was released today for the Tattersall’s Tiara and Sold For Song could jump from gate three with two of the emergencies drawing inside of her.

“She has been dogged by bad barriers and bad luck,” Kemp told AAP.

“It has been almost a year to the day since she won so surely luck can go our way this time.”

“Which is hard to believe that a mare of her ability would take twelve months to win a race.”

Sold For Song last visited the winner’s stall twelve months ago when she won the Listed $125,000 Daybreak Lover (1400m) at Eagle Farm during the 2016 Brisbane Winter Carnival but her recent form has been oaky.

Two starts back Sold For Song ran third to Eckstein in the Group 3 $150,000 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 27 then jumped from the outside gate when fourth, beaten one and three quarter lengths, to Prompt Response in the Group 2 $200,000 Bundaberg Rum Dane Ripper Stakes (1350m) at Doomben on June 10.

James Orman has been associated with Sold For Song all throughout her career and gets the ride again in the Tattersall’s Tiara after being aboard the mare at her last two starts.

“Jim knows her well and she always races well for him,” Kemp said.

From an inside barrier Kemp can see Sold For Song, a noted backmarker, being ridden a bit more forward as opposed to dropping back to near the tail of the field.

“I think there should be more speed in this race, that certainly won’t hurt her and she is as good as she has ever been,” Kemp said.

“Two starts back she drew a bit better and we had her a bit closer and she probably had four or five behind her and I think if she would have jumped a fraction cleaner she would have been another pair closer without pushing her and she really found the line that day, she ran third that day.”

“So I think if she steps away from a good alley she will be midfield.”

“Most times we have to go back with her from the outside barriers you usually end up about four deep and still three quarters of the way back through the field.”

“I am pretty sure she will be closer without having her pushed along.”

Kemp said that Sold For Song has continued to train on in fine fashion since her last start fourth in the Dane Ripper Stakes and expects her to run her usual honest race.

“She has really trained on well, looks great, feeling good and really looking for a good run again, she never lets us down anyhow,” Kemp said.

“I reckon she is ready for Saturday for sure but there is a lot of good fillies and mares in it.”

Sold For Song is rated a $19 chance for the Tattersall’s Tiara at Ladbrokes.com.au who have Stradbroke Handicap runner up In Her Time as the $3.30 favourite.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.