Berri Tricky Draw

Racing.com and news.com.au reports on Imperatriz drawing 10 our of 11 for her Group 1 William Reid defence on Saturday - a big day for the team with Quintessa contesting the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2024m), Campionessa lining up in the Group 2 Sunlike Stakes (1600m), Certainly doing battle in Group 3 Alexandra Stakes (1600m), while Prismatic takes on the BM84 (2040m) and Mehzebeen the BM78 (2500m) ... 

Superstar sprinter Imperatriz will jump from barrier 10 as she tries to defender her Group 1 William Reid Stakes title on Saturday.

The kiwi galloper, trained by Mark Walker, was the last ball out of the barrel on Tuesday morning's barrier draw, with a field of 11 accepting for the race.

Imperatriz was last seen when running a brave second to Cylinder in the G1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington a fortnight ago.

She carried a big weight that day and was run down by Cylinder, who will jump from barrier one in the William Reid.

Former winner Bella Nipotina drew barrier three, while Oakleigh Plate quinella Queman (barrier four) and Hypothetical (barrier six) have also accepted.

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Opie Bosson has a tricky draw to contend with when he pairs with Imperatriz to defend her crown in Saturday’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley.

Te Akau’s superstar has drawn barrier 10 in the 11-horse field and she’ll face the likes of Cylinder again, along with Oakleigh Plate winner Queman.

Cylinder has drawn the inside gate for his first spin around The Valley with fellow three-year-old King’s Gambit drawing gate five.

WILLIAM REID STAKES FINAL FIELD

1 - THE ASTROLOGIST - Leon & Troy Corstens - Declan Bates - 9 - 58.5kg

2 - THE INFERNO - Cliff Brown - Jake Noonan - 8 - 58.5kg

3 - QUEMAN - Shane & Cassie Oxlade - Harry Coffey - 4 - 58.5kg

4 - JOHNNY ROCKER - Nick Ryan - Rhys McLeod - 11 - 58.5kg

5 - IMPERATRIZ - Mark Walker - Opie Bosson - 10 - 56.5kg

6 - BELLA NIPOTINA - Ciaron Maher - John Allen - 3 - 56.5kg

7 - I AM ME - Ciaron Maher - Ben Melham - 2 - 56.5kg

8 - QUEEN OF THE BALL - Michael Freedman - 7 - 56.5kg

9 - HYPOTHETICAL - Anthony & Sam Freedman - Michael Dee - 6 - 56.5kg

10 - CYLINDER - James Cummings - TBD - 1 - 56kg

11 - KING’S GAMBIT - Peter & Paul Snowden - TBD - 5 - 56kg

BARRIER DRAW WINNERS

Bella Nipotina has drawn beautifully in barrier 3 to get a sweet run just behind the speed, and we know how well she goes at The Valley. Oakleigh Plate winner Queman has again drawn a nice marble so he won’t need to do much work early to land in a striking position.

BARRIER DRAW LOSERS

Imperatriz’s task has become a lot tougher with barrier 10 in the field of 11. There is plenty of speed drawn inside her so where will she end up in the run? It’s doubtful other jockeys will allow Opie to slot in one off the fence, meaning she could be posted three wide, either with cover or without. Even then, she still might be good enough back at weight-for-age level. Barrier 1 could be poison for Cylinder. The coffin has claimed many victims at The Valley and he’ll need a lot of luck to get a clear crack at them.

BETTING

$1.75 Imperatriz, $4.20 Cylinder, $7.50 Bella Nipotina, $11 King’s Gambit, $13 I Am Me, $15 Queman, $26 Hypothetical, $41 The Astrologist, $81 Queen Of The Ball, The Inferno, $101 Johnny Rocker.