Helmet's hopes of a farewell Australian win in Saturday's Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington received a boost at this morning's allocation of barriers for the $750,000 event.The Peter Snowden-trained gun came up with barrier five in the 1600-metre event that attracted a full field of 16 plus four emergencies, but will slide into gate four if the emergencies don't gain a start.The Guineas will be Helmet's final run before heading to Dubai for the $1 million UAE Derby on 31 March, after whic

Helmet's hopes of a farewell Australian win in Saturday's Group 1 Australian Guineas at Flemington received a boost at this morning's allocation of barriers for the $750,000 event.

The Peter Snowden-trained gun came up with barrier five in the 1600-metre event that attracted a full field of 16 plus four emergencies, but will slide into gate four if the emergencies don't gain a start.

The Guineas will be Helmet's final run before heading to Dubai for the $1 million UAE Derby on 31 March, after which he will campaign under Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin banner.

Not only was the front-running son of Exceed And Excel well served at the draw, his main dangers were both dealt wide barriers. Crown Oaks winner Mosheen drew the outside alley, while C.S Hayes Stakes winner That's The One drew 14.

Never in the 26 editions of the Guineas has a winner started from a double-figure barrier and 14 of the past 22 renewals have had at least 10 runners.

Helmet, who is striving to join Mahogany as the only horse to complete the Caulfield Guineas-Australian Guineas double, wasn't the only Guineas runner to see their chances enhanced.

Zeditave Stakes winner Instinction drew the inside alley, Peter Moody-trained stablemates Highly Recommended and Huegill drew gates four and seven respectively, last week's Futurity Stakes placegetter Adamantium landed gate six with Sabrage drawing barrier nine.

The progressive Bombalatomba drew 10, but will come into nine if emergencies don't start, but Victoria Derby winner Sangster (13), the talented Decircles (18) and Anthony Cummings trained pair Strike The Stars (15) and Fontelina (19) are among those condemned to a double-digit barrier.

The Australian Guineas is the key event on a competitive eight-race card, which commences at 12.40pm.

The card kicks off with the $100,000 Streets Ice Cream Stakes (1000m) for two-year-olds, which includes Blue Diamond first emergency Fire Thunderbolt along with two-time Anthony Freedman-trained runner Sabie and promising filly Rhandara.

That is one of four Listed events on the day with former import Drunken Sailor heading the field for the $125,000 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m), while Secret Flyer heads the field for the $100,000 ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m) that also includes former Toorak Handicap runner-up We're Gonna Rock and Oakleigh Plate scratching Panipique.

The $100,000 Vic TAB Guaranteed $2m Quaddie (1400m) is the other event that has attracted a capacity field and among the runners are Red Colossus, Dao Dao, Doubtful Jack, Syreon, Danzylum and Shadowfax.

The day's other Group event, the $150,000 Group 3 PFD Food Services Plate (1400m), won last year by subsequent Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Aloha, rounds out the card and includes classy types such as Raspberries, I'm Discreet, Golden Penny and Rahveel.