Racing: Draw no concern for Elsu

Trainer Geoff Small believes the worst barrier draw in the Interdominion final is perfect for his champion pacer Elsu.

Pacing's pin-up boy will start from barrier seven, the outside of the front line, in Friday night's $750,000 event at Alexandra Park, giving battle-weary rival trainers at least a small boost.

As soon as Elsu's connections selected barrier seven for him at Saturday night's random barrier draw function, TAB bookies drifted his odds from $1.45 to $1.65, with arch-rivals Just An Excuse and Sokyola shortening after drawing handy.

But Small says the usually dreaded outside draw is ideal.

"The more I look at the race the better I think it is," said Small.

"Anything can happen in racing but from there we should be out of the early rush and we can let them sort themselves out without having to push and shove. Then David [Butcher, driver] can choose when he wants to move, how quickly or if he wants to sit and wait.

"We have a lot more options now than some of the others."

Small is surprised but thrilled by how Elsu came through his thrashing of Just An Excuse in the fastest of last Friday's 2700m heats.

"He just keeps getting better. He is jumping out of his skin and nothing bothers him at the moment. We just can't wait for Friday night."

The draws suggest Sokyola will get his chance to lead in the final after drawing barrier five, while Harnetts Creek, Sly Flyin and Just An Excuse should all be able to stay handy without doing too much work.

The biggest losers in the draw appear to be Young Rufus and Flashing Red, who face having to make mid-race moves to get handy.

And outsiders Alta Serena and Winforu have had their chances greatly hindered by drawing wide on the second line.

The draw for the trotting final favours Allegro Agitato, who was the only heat winner to draw handy, coming into five on the front line.

She has the gate speed to head forward early and with no major winning chances drawn inside her she should get her chance to dominate the race early if driver Mark Purdon desires.

The 2700m mobile does look certain to contain plenty of moves though, with favourites Lyell Creek (13) and Delft (unruly) starting from the outside two draws on the second line.

Delft was steady at $3.60 in the early markets last night, with Lyell Creek at $4.60, the big drifters after the draw being Pompallier (barrier seven) and Take A Moment (two on the second line).

The $250,000 trotting final will be run at 9.05pm, with the pacing final at 10.15pm.