Melbourne based Kiwi jockey Michael Walker admits that All Our Roads’ chances took a backward step when he drew barrier fourteen in Saturday’s Group 1 $1m Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot in Perth.
All Our Roads, above with green cap, was 4th behind Shillelagh in the Kennedy Mile at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Former New Zealand trained All Our Roads is one of three Chris Waller trained horses in the Kingston Town Classic field and will jump from the widest gate after the field was reduced to thirteen runners following the early scratchings of Silverstream who drew the outside barrier and Gatting (barrier 13).
All Our Roads with Craig Williams in the saddle jumped from barrier fourteen last start when two and a half lengths ninth to Great Shot in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 25 and Walker admits that the six year old will be facing a tough task again.
“I was hoping he would draw a barrier because I thought he was a top five chance,” Walker told Western Australia Thoroughbred News.
“I think he can be competitive, but things need to go right in a race for him.
“It’s going to be tricky from the barrier and I’m going to have to pull out a phenomenal ride.”
All Our Roads has had four runs for the Waller stable since crossing the Tasman and led from the inside barrier two starts back when fourth to stablemate Shillelagh in the Group 1 $1m Kennedy Mile (1600m) at Flemington on the first day of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Bookies at Ladbrokes.com.au have All Our Roads marked at $26 for the Kingston Town Classic and is the longest priced of the three Waller runners with Tom Melbourne listed at $8 and Life Less Ordinary a drifter in the betting from $11 to $14.
The Darren Weir trained five times Group 1 winner Black Heart Bart sits at the top of the market order at $2.90 ahead of the James Cummings trained It’s Somewhat at $5.50 and the smart local filly Perfect Jewel at $6.