STEWARDS' CUP DRAW ORDER @Goodwood_Races

Harrison George was first out of the hat in the ballot to chose a starting position for Saturday's £100,000 Robins Farm Racing Stewards' Cup, with Alison West, representing trainer PJ O'Gorman, opting for the middle in stall 14. In four of the past six years, the winner has come from a stall towards the centre of the line.

Last out was David O'Meara-trained Louis The Pious, with Hobson's choice of stall 27, close to the stands side rail. In 2007 the winner Zidane, who emerged from stall 11, similarly had to take what he got.

 

Both sides of the draw for the famous six-furlong handicap will have a likely trailblazer; Dr Red Eye will break from stall 3, on the far side, and Whozthecat from stall 23, closer to the stands rail.

Ballot order  Horse Draw chosen

1 Harrison George  14

2  Humidor   8

3  York Glory   4

4  Burwaaz   28

5  Face The Problem  2

6  Pabusar   12

7  Racy    7

8  Rex Imperator  26

9  Barnet Fair   10

10  Prodigality   9

11  Tropics   6

12  Polski Max   1

13  Regal Parade  11

14  Secret Witness  13

15  Hawkeyethenoo  5

16  Dr Red Eye   3

17  Dinkum Diamond  16

18  Blaine   15

19  Ninjago   17

20  Mac's Power   24

21  Tiddliwinks   18

22  Free Zone   20

23  Hoof It   19

24  Heaven's Guest  22

25  Shropshire   21

26  Whozthecat   23

27  Ajjaad   25

28  Louis The Pious  27

PERFECT CHOICE FOR BURWAAZ

As far as Robin Trevor-Jones, travelling head lad to Ed Dunlop, is concerned, the ballot to chose a starting position for the Robins Farm Racing Stewards' Cup could not have worked out better for the Newmarket stable's runner Burwaaz.

Trevor-Jones had hoped to bag a draw near the stands side for Hamdan Al Maktoum's four-year-old, a 33/1 shot, and as fourth out of the hat to take his pick was able to take stall 28, right next to the rail. "The Sheikh said go high," he said, "and now the horse will be able to go absolutely the shortest way. A straight six furlongs is perfect for him, he's in great form and will have first-time blinkers. He's been working very well in them at home."

Scott Dixon, trainer of Dr Red Eye, opted for the other side of the track with stall three.  "I'm not sure there is any logic, it's all very much chance," he said, "but I think the ground may be quicker that side and statistics favour it. We certainly hoped not to be any wider than 13.

"The horse has done well for us this year and I don't think he's well handicapped now, but he owes us nothing. It's a bit of a learning curve with him as he's never run over a straight six and this will tell us a lot. If he runs well the Ayr Gold Cup could be a target."

Whozthecat was one of the last names called out and did not have much choice over his number 23 stall. "Obviously the draw is going to be a big factor," said trainer Declan Carroll, "so we hope it works in our favour. As regards the horse, he's been bouncing since he won at the Curragh and the drying conditions will be in his favour."