Draw dents prospect of successful title defence

REIGNING champion Madrid has had her chances of retaining her New South Wales Breeders’ Challenge title dented by the barrier draw.

Completing a clean sweep of last season’s edition of the rich futurity, Madrid proved she is on target to repeat the dose with her victory at Club Menangle last weekend.

A heat winner at the world class venue a fortnight earlier, Madrid produced an impressive performance to capture a semi for trainer Jarrod Alchin.

With Cameron Hart holding the reins, the Australian Pacing Gold purchase led throughout from barrier three to account for Ideal In Dreams and Miss Ex.

To connections’ dismay, Madrid has drawn barrier 10 in Saturday night’s Group One decider, but moves into gate eight once the emergencies are taken out of the equation.

If that’s not bad enough for the three-year-old, her main danger Steno has fared a lot better in three,

“The draw has certainly made it tough on her,” Alchin said. “She’s got brilliant gate speed, but even with that she is in for a real battle.

“Everything has gone along perfectly with her and she will be right at her top for the Final, but she will certainly need to be the best she has ever been from that draw.

“Steno was always the one to beat, but now it will be even harder given her draw as well.”

Steno was also triumphant in her semi after leading from barrier four and covering the mile in 1:52.1 – three-tenths of a second slower than Madrid.

Trained by Cameron Ross, the exceptionally-bred filly is by Sweet Lou from quadruple Group One winner, Lady Waratah.