Barrier Draw: Waller Disappoints, Irish Shine
The Barrier Draw for the Melbourne Cup is always a hot topic, and this year was no different. Some trainers were ecstatic, while others were left scratching their heads. Chris Waller, the reigning king of Australian racing, was definitely in the latter camp.
Waller's Disappointment
Waller had two horses in the race, Verry Elleegant and Nature Strip. Both horses are incredibly talented, but their barrier draws were less than ideal. Verry Elleegant drew barrier 12, which is far from the best spot to be in a race like the Melbourne Cup. Nature Strip drew even worse at barrier 17.
Waller was visibly disappointed with the draw, stating that it would be "a tough ask" for both horses to win from their positions. He's not wrong. The Melbourne Cup is a grueling race, and starting from the back of the field makes it even tougher.
Irish Shine
While Waller was disappointed, some other trainers were celebrating. Aidan O'Brien, the legendary Irish trainer, had several horses in the race, and all of them drew well. His star runner, State Of Rest, drew barrier 4, giving him a fantastic chance to be in the lead early. Another Irish horse, Incentivise, drew barrier 1, meaning he'll have a clear run to the first corner.
O'Brien is known for his ability to train horses for long distances, and he'll be hoping that his horses can take advantage of their good draws. The Irish have a long history of success in the Melbourne Cup, and they'll be looking to add to that legacy this year.
The Takeaway
The Barrier Draw for the Melbourne Cup is just one factor that will determine the winner. However, it is a significant one. Horses starting from the back of the field will have to overcome a lot to win.
It's not all doom and gloom for Waller, though. Both Verry Elleegant and Nature Strip are incredibly talented horses. They'll need to overcome their poor draws, but they still have a chance to win.
The Melbourne Cup is always a thrilling race, and this year will be no different. We're in for a nail-biting finish.