Luck probably plays the biggest part in racing apart from ability and Raffaello will need his fair slice of it in Saturday's Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.The Encosta De Lago five-year-old drew barrier one which is considered the worst possible barrier for him in the Group One 1600m feature."It's not the best barrier for him. I'd rather see him drawn out a little but you're lucky to be in a Group One race and I never sook about barriers or the weather because you can't change them," trainer Mark
Luck probably plays the biggest part in racing apart from ability and Raffaello will need his fair slice of it in Saturday's Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
The Encosta De Lago five-year-old drew barrier one which is considered the worst possible barrier for him in the Group One 1600m feature.
"It's not the best barrier for him. I'd rather see him drawn out a little but you're lucky to be in a Group One race and I never sook about barriers or the weather because you can't change them," trainer Mark Kavanagh said.
Raffaello came from last and closed strongly when third to Turffontein in the Group One Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 19 and trainer Mark Kavanagh expects the entire to be even more effective over 1600m.
"He's won to 1800 metres and he's pretty right at the moment," the Flemington trainer said.
Corey Brown takes the mount on Raffaello replacing Michael Rodd who couldn't make his weight of 52kg.
Jockey Craig Newitt is upbeat about the chances of Gallica as he attempts to win successive Tooraks.
Newitt, who won last year's feature on the Mick Price-trained Alamosa, hasn't ridden Gallica in a race for more than a year but as a stable rider for Price has got to know her well on the track.
"Her work on Tuesday morning was probably her best I have ridden her this time in," Newitt said.
He said she would appreciate a significant drop in weight and he hopes to have her positioned midfield with cover and ready to make a run when it counted.
She will carry 52kg in the Toorak, the lightest weight in her career, and with the promise of plenty of pace in the race should be able to get across from her wide gate to take up a good position.
"She has drawn barrier 13 but she will slot in midfield somewhere and I will ride her a bit similar to Alamosa last year," Newitt said.
Glen Boss rode Gallica last start in the Group Two Stocks Stakes for mares but she had no luck from the start.
"She was three-wide on a slow tempo and battled away fairly but she can bounce back and get home well." Newitt said.
Gallica is a dual Group One winner of last year's Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and the Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville in March this year.
"This is her third run this campaign and I doubt she has ever carried such a light weight," Newitt said.
Raheeb is $5.50 favourite ahead of Raffaello ($6), Black Piranha ($6.50), Gold Salute ($8) with topweight Racing To Win at $9 and Epsom Handicap winner Rock Kingdom at $10.