Anabandana's season form matches that of Jimmy Choux - get your bad luck out of the way early when it doesn't matter then don't take prisoners.
Both icons were beaten early this season and have been unbeatable since.
If you thought Anabandana might be at unbackable odds in tomorrow's $200,000 Manawatu SiresProduce Stakes on Saturday it was guaranteed when the outstanding filly drew gate No2 on Wednesday.
Barrier draws are important in practically any race, in group-rated races they are critical.
As good as Jimmy Choux is, don't underestimate what good barrier draws have meant to many of the performances that have won him $2 million this season.
His uncanny luck in the ballot has meant Jonathan Riddell has been able to slot him into the right position in practically every raceday appearance.
Jimmy Choux's perfect No6 barrier in last Saturday's A$500,000 Rosehill Guineas saw Riddell position him one out three back, ready to challenge at exactly the right time.
Anabandana was desperately unlucky not to have won her first two appearances at the races.
Admittedly she had to work hard to score her initial win in the Eclipse Stakes at Ellerslie at her third start after drawing gate No8, but then drew No1 to take the $100,000 Matamata Breeders Stakes and No5 to win the $200,000 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie.
To be fair she could just about have drawn gate No32 and won that last race, but she still wouldn't be as well off drawing the outside of the 13 runners on Saturday.
Aiding her case even further is that well fancied runners Savabill, Antonio Lonbaro and Karaka Million winner Fort Lincoln have come up with barriers No12, No11 and No9.
The No2 gate may have been a problem had the track been rain-affected, but with fine weather predicted the footing should come up as perfect.
Melbourne-based Michael Walker will ride at the meeting and has been engaged in the Sires Produce to partner the Rogerson-trained filly Dowager Queen, an easy last-start Te Rapa winner under Craig Grylls.
Vosne Romanee (Hayden Tinsley), Red Ruler (Opie Bosson) and Hold It Harvey and Jamie Bullard head up the $85,000 Lawnmaster Awapuni Gold Cup.
Hold It Harvey looked outstanding winning at Trentham recently, but faces a tougher field this time.APN News & Media
