Raging Crown Guineas favourite Denman has drawn the widest barrier in the nine-horse field for Saturday's $1 million Group One race at Flemington.
The son of 2004 Australian Cup winner Lonhro is looking to make it 10 wins from 12 starts but will need some favours after drawing barrier nine, while his chief rivals, Set For Fame (1) and Linton (8) received more favourable alleys.
Denman, currently quoted at $1.55, is expected to lead the race but will have a task getting across the field from the wide barrier. Linton ($6.00) is expected to sit back in the field and swoop home as he did when winning the Alistair Clark Stakes (1600m) last start, so the barrier will not have an adverse effect on his racing style.
Set For Fame should get a dream run along the inside from her barrier and has now shortened into $5.50. However, the small field will likely play into Denman's hands, with the tempo likely to be moderate.
All Silent remains $4.40 favourite for the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) despite drawing barrier 17 in a 19-horse field. With the large field expected to stretch across the track in the straight race, the barrier would not seem a major obstacle for the six-year-old who won twice over 1200m at Flemington last spring.
Oakleigh Plate winner Starspangledbanner ($7.50) is likely to have the pick of what side of the track he wants to go down from barrier nine, while Lightning Stakes winner Nicconi ($9) will jump alongside the favourite in barrier 16.
Light Fantastic, who thrashed All Silent in a trial earlier in the week, comes from barrier one. So open is the race that all but three of the 19 runners are under $26.
Australian Cup favourite Heart of Dreams ($6) has drawn barrier eight in the other feature race on the program, while the other two main chances Shocking (12) and Zipping (13) will have to overcome difficult barriers.
David Hayes did not accept with his import Changingoftheguard after the former Irish galloper contracted a virus.