The AAMI Victoria Derby barrier draw did little the dent Robbie Laing’s confidence regarding Polanski’s chances in the $1.5 million event at Flemington this Saturday, reports Racing Victoria. The Victorian colt was the clear winner at the allocation of starting positions for the Group 1 event that is the feature of the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Polanski will start from the inside barrier in the race that has attracted a full field of 16 plus two emergencies.

In contrast, the Spring Champion Stakes trifecta – which occupied the top three lines on Derby betting going into the draw – will all start from the second half of the field in the 2500m event that only has a short 150m run to the first turn.

Spring Champion winner Complacent drew barrier 16, Criterion 14, while last Saturday’s Mitchelton Wines Vase winner Savvy Nature has gate 13.

They will all come in two positions if emergencies Cadillac Mountain and Empire Rock, who drew gates nine and 10, don’t gain a start.

Laing was thrilled the way the draw played out, especially after requesting the inside alley.

“Before the owner went up he said, ‘what barrier do you want?’. I said, ‘one’ and he went up and picked one. I thought that was pretty good.

“He’ll begin good, he’ll show enough speed to hold his position and I can envisage him second or third on the fence with a lap to go.

“He’ll start close to second favourite when everyone gets it through their head that we’ve drawn barrier one and we’ll be able to sit sweet on the fence.”

Polanski holds the $7.50 third line after the draw. Savvy Nature, the $4.20 second pick going into the draw, eased to $4.60 but is now favourite after the Peter Snowden-trained Complacent – who started from the inside barrier in the Spring Champion Stakes – drifted from $4 to $4.80.

Jason Walsh, Darley’s bloodstock manager who selected Complacent’s barrier, said the alley was not what they were after but would not signal the end of his chances.

“He’s a very versatile horse so he’s capable of positioning, depending on speed, wherever Kerrin (McEvoy, jockey) would like him,” Walsh said.

“He’s a high quality animal and we think that that gate certainly doesn’t render him incapable of winning the race.”

Walsh did a good job with Snowden’s other runners, however, plucking barrier six for San Diego, narrow runner-up to Polanski in the Norman Robinson Stakes, while Geelong Classic runner-up Tupac Amaru will start from gate eight.

Anthony Cummings, who is shooting to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Victoria Derbys since his father Bart in 1972/73, had mixed emotions drawing seven with Thunder Fantasy and the outside barrier with Drago.

David Hayes is the most heavily-represented trainer in the Derby with three runners and second emergency Empire Rock and saw Honey Steel’s Gold (two) fare best of his team. Tips And Beers drew 11 and Surging Wave 15.

John Sadler is the other trainer with multiple runners; Pinstripe Lane to start from three with Throw The King – who is owned by former champion AFL coach Denis Pagan and family – to roll from five in what will be Sadler’s son Tom’s first ride in a Group 1 race.

Rounding out the Derby field are Bring Something and Epic Saga, who will start from gates 12 and 17 respectively.

The Derby draw completed fields for what many consider Australia’s premier day’s racing of the year, with three other Group 1s on the card.

The $1 million Longines Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) has attracted a field of nine with favoured duo Jet Away (one) and Solzhenitsyn (two) to start from the inside alleys.

Boom Sydney colt Zoustar will start from the second-widest alley in the $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), which has attracted a field of 11 including Sidestep (one), Divine Calling (three), Lion of Belfort (four) and Missy Longstocking (six).

Zoustar’s Chris Waller-trained stablemate Red Tracer has also drawn barrier 10 for her assignment, the $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m).

The mares’-only event has assembled a field of 14, including Fire Up Fifi (one), classy Kiwi Zonza (two), Sharnee Rose (five) and Catkins (11).

Among the other highlights on the Derby Day card is the Melbourne Cup-qualifying $300,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m), which features Ethiopia, depending champion Kelinni, Moudre, Araldo Kingdoms and Let’s Make Adeal.

Crown Oaks hopefuls including Gypsy Diamond, Arabian Gold and May’s Dream will round out their preparations for next Thursday’s Group 1 in the $300,000 Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m).

Rounding out the nine-race Flemington program is the $150,000 Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), the $300,000 Group 2 Yellowglen Stakes (1200m) and the $200,000 Group 3 tab.com.au Stakes (1400m).