Robbie Laing is looking to recent history to boost his confidence about the Victoria Derby prospects of Commonage Close, an outsider in more ways than one for Saturday's Classic.The trainer drew barrier 11 of 11 on Wednesday for the colt, a $71 chance in the Derby (2500m) with Shamoline Warrior the dominant favourite.In 2008, Shamoline Warrior's Mark Kavanagh-trained stablemate Whobegotyou started odds-on in the Derby but was foiled by 100-1 shot Rebel Raider who jumped from the outside gate."I
Robbie Laing is looking to recent history to boost his confidence about the Victoria Derby prospects of Commonage Close, an outsider in more ways than one for Saturday's Classic.
The trainer drew barrier 11 of 11 on Wednesday for the colt, a $71 chance in the Derby (2500m) with Shamoline Warrior the dominant favourite.
In 2008, Shamoline Warrior's Mark Kavanagh-trained stablemate Whobegotyou started odds-on in the Derby but was foiled by 100-1 shot Rebel Raider who jumped from the outside gate.
"I thought he might draw one after he's drawn outside at his past two starts," Laing said.
"He hasn't had any luck with the barriers.
"In the Geelong Classic he sat back and was 15 lengths off the lead. When he got going at the 900 (metres) he was in lane 15 and died on his run.
"Obviously he will go back again but he won't be giving them such a big start."
Commonage Close finished 3-1/2 lengths fifth to Southern Skye in last week's Geelong Classic (2200m) after jumping from gate 13 of 14.
Shamoline Warrior had his final Derby lead-up in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) on October 17 when he beat Onemorenomore.
A half-brother to Rebel Raider, Shamoline Warrior remained the $2.90 favourite for the Derby despite drawing barrier nine.
Geelong Classic runner-up, New Zealander Our Heir Apparent, drew one slot inside Commonage Close with third-placed Rockferry from the Danny O'Brien stable in two.
Barrier one went to Spring Champion Stakes winner Monaco Consul who will be out to give trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney a second Derby trophy to go with the one claimed by Second Coming in 1997.
Monaco Consul was third favourite at $6.50 with Rockferry on the second line at $4.80.
Moroney is reluctant to compare the two horses but says Monaco Consul has the right credentials to win the early season Derby.
"Second Coming was a natural stayer while this one has more of a turn of foot," he said.
"I think I would have preferred if he'd drawn out a bit but Monaco Consul is the sort of horse who wouldn't mind leading."
Monaco Consul's Spring Champion Stakes was run on a heavy track but Moroney said he would go just as well on a firm track at Flemington.
"He's got wet form now but I always thought he would be better on top of the ground," he said.
"What he's done, he's done on raw talent.
"Flemington has got good grass cover and I don't think it will be a problem."
Corey Brown replaces successful Spring Champion jockey Jay Ford on Monaco Consul.
Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm runners Onemorenomore and Gathering drew barriers five and eight respectively.
Onemorenomore finished second to Shamoline Warrior in the Norman Robinson while Gathering was second to Monaco Consul in the Spring Champion Stakes and third in the Norman Robinson.