The draw for the 2015 Inter-Dominion final next Sunday at Gloucester Park was made yesterday and it threw up a minefield of possible scenarios as to how the race may pan out.
Plenty of runners will fancy their chances after receiving draws that suit their style of racing.
The biggest winner was Lover's Delight who drew barrier one.
A brilliant beginner off the gate, he looks the leader in the race and after his win from barrier eight on Friday night, he has to be a winning chance from barrier one.
Waylade drew perfectly for a horse that likes to settle early with barrier two which should give Gary Hall jnr plenty of options as to who he follows.
Lennytheshark is at three which makes him a real player with Chris Alford likely to want the death seat at the least.
The horse to beat from the draw without a doubt.
To make matters even more interesting, Philadelphia Man is drawn beside him at four which may turn into a bit of a tricky draw but he should be able to settle handy in the running line and looms as the main danger to Lennytheshark.
Of the other two big contenders, Devendra drew barrier eight and how James Rattray drives him from there will be interesting.
Devendra does have great gate speed and an early burn to get handy is not out of the question.
My Hard Copy has drawn nine, so is going to end up last and try to get home over the top of them late.
With so many of the major players drawn so well, My Hard Copy is up against it in our view.
So as is quickly apparent, the draw has created a lot of doubt as to who is going to end up where in the running which should make for a great buildup to the race.
The barrier draw for the final is as follows;
Barrier Horse Trainer
1 Lovers Delight Stephen Reed
2 Waylade Gary Hall Snr
3 Lennytheshark David Aiken
4 Philadelphia Man Emma Stewart
5 Our Blackbird Ross Olivieri
6 Libertybelle Midfrew Mike Reed
7 Avonnova Ian Gurney
8 Devendra James Rattray
9 My Hard Copy Gary Hall Snr
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10 Flaming Flutter Geoff Webster
11 Major Crocker (Em 1) Vince Vallelonga
12 Blazin N Cullen (Em 2) John McCarthy
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