I’m Belucci cops horror barrier draw in Sydney lead-up at Doomben
I’m Belucci has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous in the barrier draw as he continues his Sydney autumn lead-up at Doomben.
I’m Belucci has drawn the outside barrier in a field of 16 for Saturday’s Alan Rodhe 3YO (1600m).
At his last start I’m Belucci drew the inside barrier and led for most of the race before finishing second to Mr Epic at Doomben over 1650m.
Trainer Desleigh Forster said the barrier had dictated where he was last time.
“He is a big striding horse and he wanted to roll along so Michael (Cahill) let him do just that,” Forster said.
“From the barrier on Saturday we will just have to see how the race pans out.”
Forster said the bad barrier was just one of the negatives against I’m Belucci on Saturday.
“It is a big field, he has a big weight and he is staying at 1600 metres. But for all that he is a class runner and class can take them a long way,” she said.
I’m Belucci, who ran second in the Spring Champion Stakes, is being set for the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby in Sydney this autumn.
Rival trainer Toby Edmonds has called on apprentice Matt McGillivray to offset a weight hike for Mr Epic in the race.
Mr Epic carried 54kg for Melbourne apprentice Regan Bayliss at his last-start win.
McGillivray’s 2kg claim means he will carry the same weight on Saturday and meets I’m Belucci a half kilo better.
“He beat them fair and square last time after going around every runner,” Edmonds said.