The Highlight Reel is an odds-on favourite for the inaugural running of the Protostar at Albion Park following this afternoon’s all-important barrier draw.
The Emma Stewart-trained pacer opened $1.85 after receiving gate three for the $500,000 two-year-old slot race, with stablemate Cigano (10) and fellow Victorian Hesitate (nine) priced at $7 and $9 respectively.
Aaron Dunn’s youngster Forty Love came up with barrier two, while Nathan Jack’s Sanchez will start from inside the second row in eight.
There were positive reactions from Victorians at the draw event, with trainer Damien Burns “really happy” with Hesitate’s back row starting position.
“Other than probably two or one, I’ll take that every day so I’m rapt,” he said.
Dunn was “extremely happy” with gate two for Forty Love, who ran fourth behind Sweet On Lexy (Hesitate second) in Saturday night’s lead-up race, the Group 3 Paleface Adios Classic.
“One would have been better, but at least there I can push forward and make a race of it hopefully,” he said.
Jack said Sanchez – a winner of his maiden at Wagga in late June – was well suited in eight.
“Very happy with the draw,” Jack said.
“A trailing draw is what we needed to be a chance, so hopefully the one horse (Fate Awaits) can produce his form like he has been.”
Saturday night’s Protostar will be run over the 1660m trip at Albion Park on Saturday night.
