Queen Elizabeth Stakes barrier draw: Dean Watling’s winners and losers

It is a slightly sticky starting position for the 2000m contest, with the gates landing right on the corner just past the winning post.

The positive, though, is the long back straight where horses often find their final settling positions or can make any mid-race moves without using too much energy.

What makes this map even more intriguing is the Chris Waller camp having four runners in the race. I can’t see many mid-race moves or horses taking each other on due to this factor.

Winners from the Draw

Autumn Glow (2)
The $1.40 favourite is the big winner from the barrier draw. She’ll do absolutely no work early and has options aplenty. Likely she finds the 1-1 if we see Dubai Honour and Lindermann roll forward, and at worst she lands leader’s back. Her race to lose.

Dubai Honour (5)
I love this draw for Dubai Honour. He should be rock-hard fit now off a gritty front-running display in the Tancred and is pretty much dictated by the barrier to roll forward and turn this into a proper 2000m contest. I doubt he has the turn of speed to outsprint Autumn Glow, but he can test her stamina by rolling along at a genuine tempo.

Losers from the Draw

Aeliana (8)
Less than ideal draw. In a race where every length is crucial to challenge Autumn Glow, barrier 8 likely sees Aeliana go back and spot the favourite 2–3L in transit. It’s not the end of the world but doesn’t make the task any easier. She does have the option to roll forward, but not sure they will.

Overall

Overall, it’s one of the more tactical fields of eight you’ll see. There are multiple speed map scenarios, and what makes it even more interesting is the Waller yard dominating the race in terms of numbers. What a spectacle it will be.

WATCH: Autumn Glow win the George Ryder