The James Cummings trained Gaulois is at double figures for the Group 2 $500,000 W.A. Guineas (1600m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday after drawing another wide barrier.
Gaulois, above, has drawn a wide barrier in the W.A. Guineas at Ascot. Photo by Steve Hart.
The outside barrier was the cause of Gaulois missing a place for the first time last start when egihth after jumping from the extreme outside barrier in the fifteen horse Group 3 $200,000 The Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 4.
“That was the strongest field he’s faced and he did really well from his outside gate to finish only two-and-a-half-lengths from the winner, who looks to be quite a good horse,” Cummings said.
“We went into that race knowing we had a colt with some class and he proved that he’ll run a strong mile.
“He’s drawn wide again, but he’s settled in nicely in Perth and we’re satisfied that he’s held his form.”
Gaulois is facing the same problem in the W.A. Guineas after drawing gate seventeen and with the first emergency drawing the extreme outside at eighteen, the Street Cry colt looks set to jump from the outside of the final sixteen horse field.
The Godolphin owned Gaulois, with Damian Lane in the saddle, is the only Eastern State trained three year old to line up in the W.A. Guineas and has been friendless in the early betting with Ladbrokes.com.au pushing his price out from $14 to $16.
The Daniel and Ben Pearce trained Money Maher has been installed the early favourite at $4.20 just ahead of the Bob Peters owned filly Perfect Jewel at $4.80.
Money Maher has drawn barrier eleven with Jarrad Noske on board again after partnering the Al Maher colt in his last three starts that resulted with a win three runs back in a 1200m three year old Plate at Belmont on September 9 and a last start win in the Listed $100,000 Fairetha Stakes (1400m) at Ascot in Perth on November 11.
Perfect Jewel with William Pike booked to ride, has also been handicapped with a wide barrier, gate sixteen, and is coming off a last start fourth to Mikimoto in the Listed $100,000 Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 7.