Paul Messara gained his wish when race favourite Beneteau drew barrier nine for Saturday's $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.However the Tony Vasil camp was downcast when second favourite Psychologist drew the outside gate, 16.Messara, who is based at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, admitted he was pleased with the marble which he drew for the beautifully-bred Beneteau on behalf of the owners which include his father John's Arrowfield Stud and Julian Blaxland's Blue Sky Thoroughbreds.A

Paul Messara gained his wish when race favourite Beneteau drew barrier nine for Saturday's $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

However the Tony Vasil camp was downcast when second favourite Psychologist drew the outside gate, 16.

Messara, who is based at Scone in the NSW Hunter Valley, admitted he was pleased with the marble which he drew for the beautifully-bred Beneteau on behalf of the owners which include his father John's Arrowfield Stud and Julian Blaxland's Blue Sky Thoroughbreds.

Arrowfield is the naming rights sponsor of Victoria's premier two-year-old event.

"There was a little bit of pressure, but I'm very pleased with that. It's better than 15 or 16," Messara said.

"We're halfway there, I was hoping for anywhere between five and 10."

Two of the past three winners, Sleek Chassis (2007) and Reaan (2008), have jumped from barrier nine.

"I can say this quite confidently, we have had no setbacks whatsoever with the colt. He came through the Prelude quite well and I expect him to make natural improvement," Messara said.

"I haven't asked too much of him on the track to make sure he went through 100 per cent sound, and he is."

A Group One win would be a huge boost for the stallion potential of Beneteau who is certainly bred to win a Blue Diamond being by the 1999 winner and champion sire Redoute's Choice out of a sister to the 2004 winner Alinghi.

Redoute's Choice, who is based at Arrowfield, sired the 2005 Blue Diamond winner Undoubtedly and in 2006 the winner Nadeem and runner-up Miss Finland who went on to win five Group One races including the Golden Slipper.

Messara said if Beneteau happened to win on Saturday he would push on and have a crack at the $3.5 million Golden Slipper at Rosehill on April 3.

"It's one step at a time at this stage but if that opportunity presents itself we'll certainly head in that direction," he said.

Beneteau has earned top billing for the Blue Diamond with two impressive wins from as many starts, the latest in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield on February 6.

Choisir filly Psychologist, who led throughout to win the fillies Prelude, has had her task made harder by her outside draw which prompted Vasil's assistant trainer Trent Pennuto, who drew the barrier, to quip that he might be looking for employment elsewhere.

"We're going to have to use her speed to get across into a position," he said.

"I don't think we had our hearts set on having to lead like she did in the Prelude.

"She's improved but she'd have to to beat a couple of others in the race."

Beneteau remained the solid $3.60 favourite after Tuesday's draw while Psychologist drifted from $4.40 to $6.

Star Witness, who drew wide in gate 15, eased from $7 to $8.

Blue Diamond fillies Preview winner Crystal Lily eased from $7 to $9 after drawing barrier 11 while Secession firmed from $15 to $12 after drawing nicely in five.