Co-trainer Adrian Bott believes that starting from barrier four in the $10 million Golden Eagle will suit Hawaii Five Oh a great deal better than the wider gate the four-year-old had to content with when finishing outside of the placings in The Everest three weeks earlier.
Adding to the favourable draw in the field of 20 runners, Bott also believes that the step up from 1200-metres to the 1500-metres of the Rosehill event will see the winner of three out of 11 starts able to use his natural speed to better effect.
“His run in The Everest shows that he is probably looking for that additional distance at this stage of his preparation and we’ve tried to keep him as sharp as we could,” Bott said.
“We feel that is where he is going to be most effective and the draw we’ve got changes the complexion of the race completely.
“He’s drawn ideally and he can be handy to the speed.”
Amelia’s Jewel drew barrier five with New Zealand visitor and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) winner, Legarto, drawing barrier 6.
Amelia’s Jewels firmed in markets from $4.50 into $4 post-draw with Hawaii Five Oh at $5 with leading betting sites.
Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) winner, Kovalica, eased from $6 out to $8 after drawing barrier 16.
In the four editions so far of the Golden Eagle, no horse has won the event drawing wider than barrier ten.