BRISBANE - Trainer David Hayes is within sight of breaking his Magic Millions Classic drought after Husson Lightning and Cinq Rouge drew ideally for the A$1 million ($1.14 million) two-year-old feature at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Husson Lightning drew barrier six in the 16-horse field but willstart from five if Redhotjazz, one of five emergency runners, does not secure a start.
Cinq Rouge drew even better and will jump from gate one in Hayes' bid to win the Classic for the first time.
He has been runner-up three times in the race with Mahaasin (1990), St. Covet (1994) and last year with Churchill Downs.
Colin Tidy's Betchoice.com reacted swiftly to the barrier draw by installing Cinq Rouge $4.60 favourite with Husson Lightning on the second line at $6.
Hayes said he could not separate his pair after deciding Craig Williams will partner Husson Lightning with Damien Oliver aboard Cinq Rouge.
"I can't separate them. They'll both be hard to beat and luck in running will play a big part in the result," Hayes said.
"I'm very happy with their barriers as both can lead or take a sit and are very versatile."
Williams also found it difficult to choose which was the better chance and was glad Hayes decided his mount.
"I wear my heart in the stable and it's like choosing between your kids," Williams said.
Williams rode both 2-year-olds in work at the Gold Coast yesterday and has a great deal of respect for Cinq Rouge who was an unlucky third to the Bart Cummings-trained Mimi Lebrock over 1110m at Rosehill last month.
Mimi Lebrock is third favourite with Betchoice at $7 after drawing barrier nine while Lee Freedman's hopes of victory plummeted after Royal Asscher drew gate 17 and is now a $9 hope.
