Today’s 2020 TAB Adelaide Cup barrier draw was unkind to ruling favourite King of Leogrance, which will start one horse from the outside in the field of 16.
The draw took place at Morphettville this morning, when the Danny O’Brien-trained King of Leogrance – an emphatic winner of Saturday’s Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington – drew 15.
Second favourite Dark Alley’s chances of giving trainer Paul Preusker back-to-back Adelaide Cup wins – after Surprise Baby’s success last year – were boosted by drawing barrier nine. Dark Alley shortened significantly in the TAB market as a result of its marble, plus the fortunes of King of Leogrance.
The only other horse under $10, Chris Waller’s Dabiyr, will start alongside Dark Alley in barrier 10.
Patrick Payne’s chances of landing a second Adelaide Cup as a trainer were enhanced when 2020 Launceston Cup winner Home by Midnight drew ideally in barrier four.
Trainer Shane Oxlade’s emerging South Australian stayer Eperdument, which took out Saturday’s traditional Cup lead-up, the Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville, also fared well in the barrier draw and will start from gate number two.
Seasoned stayer Yogi, tackling the Cup after a customary break, will start from barrier six for jockey John Allen and trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, while trainer Anthony Freedman’s Heart of Grace drew barrier 11.
Chouxting the Mob, from the Simon Morrish stable, drew the inside gate, while SA-trained roughie Azurite drew the extreme outside.
