AN ideal barrier draw is likely to ensure talented Tasmanian mare Geegees Goldengirl will start favourite in next Wednesday’s $200,000 Betfair Exchange Launceston Cup.
The mare will start from barrier four while Hobart Cup winner Up Cups fared poorly drawing barrier 15 in a field of 16 and he also has to carry top weight of 58kg owing to all the weights being raised by two kilograms.
UBET reacted to Up Cups’ wide barrier by easing his price to $5.50 and it could drift further closer to the race.
Geegees Goldengirl’s owner-breeder Paul Geard was delighted when he drew barrier four for his star mare.
“We were hoping for anywhere between two and six so for Goldengirl to get barrier four is brilliant,” Geard said.
“With the likely leader Ollie’s Gold drawn directly on her outside she could be able to box seat just off the lead and that would give her every chance,.” he said.
It was a mixed result for most of the interstate invaders with the Mick Kent-trained Aggregator drawing 14 and Arianne from the Pat Hyland stable drawing 12 but Schockemohle from Brett Scott’s stable did well with barrier two.
Betfair Exchange Launceston Cup betting and barrier draw:
GEEGEES GOLDENGIRL (4) $5.
UP CUPS (15) $5.50.
PLAYER ONE (1) $7.
ARIANNE (12) $8.50.
AGGREGATOR (14) $10.
GLADSTONE (10) $10.
SCHOCKEMOHLE (2) $12.
SMOKE ‘N’ WHISKY (7) $14.
GINALI (9) $15.
OLLIE’S GOLD (5) $16.
HUGO (3) $21.
SETTLER’S STONE (11) $21.
OERTA (16) $51.
MISTER MONEYPENNY (8) $81.
GEE GEES LA QUITA (6) $101.