Nash Rawiller raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he selected the outside barrier for his mount Theseo in Saturday's $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.In an innovation by the Moonee Valley Racing Club, connections of each of the 12 runners were able to select the barrier they wanted as each horse's name was drawn out by chief steward Terry Bailey.When Rawiller got his turn he chose gate 12 rather than going for one of the inner barriers still on offer.Later he revealed he had no hesitation in

Nash Rawiller raised eyebrows on Wednesday when he selected the outside barrier for his mount Theseo in Saturday's $3 million Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

In an innovation by the Moonee Valley Racing Club, connections of each of the 12 runners were able to select the barrier they wanted as each horse's name was drawn out by chief steward Terry Bailey.

When Rawiller got his turn he chose gate 12 rather than going for one of the inner barriers still on offer.

Later he revealed he had no hesitation in picking the outside, explaining that Theseo had won the Group One Epsom Hcp (1600m) at Randwick at his last start from barrier 18 of 18 when ridden by Zac Purton.

"He worked his way across and actually got caught three-deep and had a very tough run, but he just seems to like getting into his rhythm," he said.

"Even when I won the Magic Millions Cup on him in Queensland that was from the outside gate where he was able to get across and dictate his own terms, so I'm not going to change too much on Saturday.

"I'm going to be very aggressive out of the barriers.

"If I'm three wide around the first turn it is not going to really worry me because I'm going to work my way to the front or outside the leader."

The Gai Waterhouse-trained Theseo will be Rawiller's sixth ride in a Cox Plate, with his best result second on Wonderful World behind El Segundo last year.

Rawiller noted that in three of his Cox Plate rides "they've just pulled up and cantered".

"What I'm saying is, if that happens, I'll be able to go forward instead of being cluttered up like I was on Elvstroem (eighth in 2004)," he said.

"I don't care if I'm five (lengths) in front, then they've got to run me down."

Rawiller's proposed tactics were good news for backmarkers such as the equal favourite Princess Coup, Australian Cup winner Sirmione, Zipping, C'est La Guerre and Master O'Reilly as it will mean a genuinely-run race.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained Maldivian, drawn in barrier six, is the likely leader unless Theseo presses on and heads him.

Rawiller, who says his confidence level in Theseo's prospects is high, rates Princess Coup as the hardest to beat.

Glenn Munsie of TAB Sportsbet said the best-supported runner since Tuesday morning's barrier draw had been Samantha Miss who drew barrier two.

Princess Coup, who drew gate nine, drifted slightly from $3.50 to $3.60 equal favouritism while Samantha Miss came in from $4 to $3.60.

Theseo, who is at $14, was ridden by Rawiller in a solo workout at Tuesday morning's Breakfast with the Best gallops at the Valley.

The Danewin five-year-old went over 1400m in 1:37.94, running his last 400m in 24.84s.

Alamosa, Gallant Tess, Raheeb and Sirmione also put in appearances.

Meanwhile, Blake Shinn was confirmed as the rider of the Anthony Cummings-trained Raheeb in the Cox Plate after Chris Symons had his appeal against a careless riding charge emanating from Caulfield last Saturday dismissed by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.