The leading contenders for Saturday’s BECK Caulfield Guineas will start from opposite sides of the Caulfield track in the $1 million Group 1. Two of the top four in betting heading into the allocation of starting positions drew the inside alleys in the 14-horse field, while the other two drew the second and third-widest barriers.
One-time Guineas favourite Prince Harada, the Tony Vasil-trained colt who had no luck from the inside barrier when fifth in the Golden Rose, will start from barrier 12.
That’s one position inside the Peter Moody-prepared Dissident, who was runner-up to Zoustar in the Golden Rose.
That pair retain their pre-draw quote in the TAB’s Guineas market at $4.20 and $8 respectively.
The Peter Snowden-trained Long John tightened into $3.80 (from $4) after drawing the inside barrier – an alley that has supplied one quarter of the past 20 Guineas winners and two of the past four.
To his immediate outside will be untapped Caulfield Guineas Prelude runner-up El Roca, who retained his place on the fourth line at $8.
Others to draw in the first half of the field were Danehill Stakes winner Charlie Boy (three), Guineas Prelude winner Eclair Big Bang (four), the David Hayes-trained Great Esteem (five), Dissident’s stablemate Weinholt (six) and Mike Moroney’s Marwood (seven).
Boom Sydney maiden Cluster will start from barrier eight with Late Charge (nine), Stutt Stakes quinella Divine Calling and Shamus Award to start from 10 and 11 respectively with South Australian raider Nite Rocker out in 14.
The BECK Caulfield Guineas will be the last of 10 races at Caulfield on Saturday, to be run at 5.45pm.