Racing: Anabandana draws great gate for feature

Anabandana during Diamond Day. Photo / Dean Purcell

Anabandana probably didn't need any extra help, but got it with her barrier No 2 yesterday.

The outstanding filly left a similar field behind in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie last start.

Michael Walker is riding at the meeting and is engaged for last-start winner Dowager Queen in the big race.

Anabandana's season form matches that of Jimmy Choux - get your bad luck out of the way early when it doesn't matter then take no prisoners.

Both icons were beaten early this season and have been unbeatable since.

If you thought Anabandana might be at unbackable odds in Saturday's $200,000 Manawatu Sires Produce Stakes on Saturday, it was guaranteed when the outstanding filly drew gate No 2 yesterday.

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 No 6 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 No 8, but then drew No 1 to take the $100,000 Matamata Breeders Stakes and No 5 to win the $200,000 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie.

To be fair she could just about have drawn gate No 32 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 Lombardo and Karaka Million winner Fort Lincoln have come up with barriers No 12, 11 and 9.

The No 2 gate may have been a problem had the track been rain-affected, but with just a few showers forecast for tomorrow morning and fine before and after that 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.

For Allan Sharrock, with whom he served his apprenticeship, Walker will ride Nippin in The Oaks Manawatu Classic and La Muchacha, Dasoudi in the open sprint, Ekstra Special andfor John Sargent Dawn Ghost and Capone.

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.