Visitors’ draw hampers local’s Cup chance

FOR the second year Greg Scholefield’s South Australia Cup prospects have gone from solid to sludge as a result of the draw.

Using a slightly more common word for sewage to describe the barrier his runner received, Scholefield has no doubt his stable star faces an uphill battle.

Scholefield is set to contest the Group Two with Emain Macha, which heads into the state’s premier event with three wins and a second from his last four starts.

In similar form going into the 2019 edition, Emain Macha drew barrier six before finishing a solid third behind Victorian raiders Sicario and Dikerry.

This time around the son of Safari will begin from gate seven – the outside of the front row.

“He’s got an ordinary draw,” Scholefield declared. “There was no fairy sitting on my shoulder when the marbles fell.

“We’ll have to battle on and come up with a contingency plan now.

“From there he is going to need a lot of luck while hoping things don’t go well for the others.”

Despite the draw Emain Macha remains the best chance of breaking the interstate stranglehold on the time honoured feature.

Ryans Day was the last local to have his name etched on the honour roll after scoring an upset in 1999.

“I thought the visitors’ draw was for visitors!” Scholefield said. “Giving them those kind of draws may have helped us locals a little.

“At least the other two locals have drawn well, with Regal Lager to come from the pole and Joes A Character drawn barrier three.

“I’m confident enough my bloke is ready as he has had a perfect preparation and is feeling terrific.

“He is healthy, happy and ready to go…now we just need the right run from a tricky draw.”