Barakey Odds Drift After Winterbottom Draw

Barakey has been favourite for the Winterbottom Stakes since betting opened on the Ascot Group 1 race but punters have cooled their interest since the unbeaten five-year-old drew the outside barrier.

As short as $2.10 before the draw, Barakey has drifted to $2.35 with Luxbet for Saturday’s $500,000 sprint and even trainer Jim Taylor is doubtful of the gelding’s chances of maintaining his 100% record. Taylor was devastated by the draw and admitted he fears Travinator could be poised to end Barakey’s perfect ten out of ten record.

“I was shattered when he drew 10 and Travinator drew one,” Taylor said. “I would think Travinator would be hard to beat now. From out there they’ll all be looking for him (Barakey).”

Owner-breeder Colin Pearce couldn’t hide his delight about pulling barrier one for Travinator, a winner of seven of nine starts and $4.60 with Luxbet.

“I’m really happy with that,” beamed Pearce before adding, “He’s trained on really well,” about the four-year-old who has won all four starts this season.

Hallowell Belle ($6.00) will start from gate seven and Power Princess ($7.50) drew barrier nine. Pinwheel goes from barrier eight and is $9.50 after missing his work.  Trainer Peter Snowden was unconcerned about the seven-year-old leaving his feed but will give him another day to recover from his journey.

“There’s no issue. As long as he works well he’ll be there Saturday,” Snowden said. “Soundness-wise he’s 100 per cent and I just wanted to give him another day to get over the trip.”

Pinwheel has won 12 of 35 starts for $1.09 million in prize money, but has been off the course since finishing seventh to Moment Of Change at Caulfield in September. Snowden believes the gelding could say in training for a few more seasons but may not get many more attempts at the top level.

“He’s running out of chances to win a Group 1 but he could race until nine or 10,” the trainer said. “There’s good speed in the race – enough so that they will sort themselves out. If it’s set up for a swooper, hopefully he can get a good spot in running.”

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