There has been mixed fortunes for the fancied runners at the all-important barrier draw for The Everest, which has taken place atop Sydney Tower against a spectacular city skyline backdrop.
Classique Legend retained his place at the top of markets at $4.50 after coming up with barrier six at Tuesday night's draw.
He will start immediately outside multiple Group One winner Nature Strip, who firmed from $6 into $5 with TAB fixed odds after drawing gate five.
However, the news was not as kind for Libertini, who came up with the outside barrier in the 12-horse field.
Slot holder James Harron said the wide gate had made it tougher for the Anthony Cummings-trained mare. “I'm slightly deflated after that draw,” Harron said. “But she is quite a dynamic filly and she can come from off the pace. “All is not lost.”
South Australian raider Gytrash will jump from a midfield draw in seven and trainer Gordon Richards says that will give jockey Jason Collett the opportunity to find a good position in the run.
“Number seven, barrier seven. I can handle that,” Richards said.
“Jason will be able to pick where he is from there and there's a bit of pace inside of him.”
Dollar For Dollar was the last horse to secure a spot in the race as a late replacement for Farnan, who was withdrawn on Monday following an interrupted preparation.
The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained veteran drew the inside gate.
The full field and barrier draw for the $15 million The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday:
- 1. Nature Strip (5)2. Trekking (4)
- 3. Classique Legend (6)
- 4. Santa Ana Lane (8)
- 5. Behemoth (2)
- 6. Bivouac (10)
- 7. Gytrash (7)
- 8. Eduardo (9)
- 9. Dollar For Dollar (1)
- 10. Tofane (11)
- 11. Libertini (12)
- 12. Haut Brion Her (3)