Darren Weir’s in-form filly Leather‘N’Lace has drawn a wide barrier in the capacity field for the Group 2 $200,000 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Leather'N'Lace, above, has drawn an outside barrier in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Leather’N’Lace, above, has drawn an outside barrier in the Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Leather’N’Lace drew barrier thirteen in the final field of sixteen plus one emergency and could move in one spot with the emergency drawing barrier five.

Leather’N’Lace is undefeated from three starts this preparation and after winning her maiden at Warrnambool and a BenchMark 64 Handicap at Bendigo, successfully handled the transition to city racing with a comfortable win in a 1400m three year old fillies Plate at Caulfield on September 23.

Damian Lane has been aboard the Street Cry filly in all her four race starts and will partner her again in the Edward Manifold Stakes.

Weir will also saddle up Anchor Bid who has drawn barrier four with Mark Zahra booked to ride.

Anchor Bid was a winner at last start as a two year old in an 1800m 2yo Handicap at Flemington in July and then resumed as a three year old on September 14 to win a 1600m Bendigo BenchMark 70 Handicap before running sixth in an 1800m 3yo Plate at Flemington on September 27.

Cranbourne based Kiwi trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will saddle up two runners in the Edward Manifold Stakes, Angelic Spirit and Snogging.

The two fillies had mixed fortunes at the barrier draw with Snogging faring well with gate two while Angelic Spirit received the visitor’s draw at thirteen.

The huge Godolphin operation with James Cummings in charge has only one runner in the Edward Manifold Stakes, Banish, who has drawn barrier seven for Dwayne Dunn.

Banish has been the around the mark of late, her latest outing producing a third to Leather’N’Lace at Caulfield.

The Robbie Laing trained Uptown Gal, who split Leather’N’Lace and Banish when second at Caulfield, will also have to overcome a horror barrier at fifteen with Ben Melham in the saddle.

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.