Frith was one of the big winners at the barrier draw, having drawn one.
Barrier draws for the 2013 Blue Chip Farms Breeders Crown semi-finals have just been released and the eight qualifiers have been defined by the way the numbers have fallen.
Plenty of favourites have drawn to advantage, while others will have to overcome trickier starting positions, but it’s something they must all conquer to be crowned Breeders Crown champion on August 18.
In race 1 on the program, the American Ideal Breeders Crown semi-final for two-year-old colts and geldings, Kiwi pair Messini and Our Maxim have drawn wide on the front line in five and six respectively.
Messini was a brilliant winner in his heat at Bendigo back on July 23, while Our Maxim has taken out New Zealand’s most prominent Sales race the PGG Wrightson, before accounting for a small heat field across the ditch.
The Belinda McCarthy-trained Bling It On won’t have it easy from 11 (10 if the emergency is scratched) while Motor Smoker, who continues to improve, has drawn two on the front row.
In the second event of the night, the Bettors Delight Breeders Crown semi-final for three-year-old fillies, likely favourite Frith had her grip tightened on the race as she drew pole position over the 2200-metre trip.
A winner of the Victoria and WA Oaks already this season, the four time Group 1 winner has only lost one race for the entire season and looks set to extend her outstanding record.
It won’t be a walkover however, with Kiwi-cum-Tasmanian filly Delightful Christian drawn directly behind the pole marker and coming off a string of wins that included a Breeders Crown heat success over subsequent repechage winner Nola Mayhem.
Southern Cross winner Getya Wings Out will also compete in the same heat, having drawn three to continue her vein of good form.
In the first heat for the three-year-old colts and geldings, Tasmanian hope Pachacuti has drawn wide on the front in barrier six, while Victorian fancy Ginger Bliss will need to navigate his way from 10.
Echeveira will begin from the extreme draw for Long Forrest team Andy and Kate Gath.
The second semi-final for two-year-old colts and geldings has drawn together a class field and last start winner Our Sky Major will no doubt be in the forefront of punters minds from his kind draw of one.
With a thoroughly dominant Bray win already under his belt, he will have to compete with Vicbred Super Series winner Major Secret (2) as well as NSW star Lettucerockthem who will follow out Emma Stewart’s half-brother to Beauty Secret.
Gritty Bendigo heat winner, All Eyes On Us, will come out of four if the emergency is scratched.
Recent Group 1-winner Im Smouldering has drawn two (comes out of one if the emergency is scratched) in the next race while QLD marvel, Montana Marie, will start from directly on her outside for Darrel Graham.
Gypsy Babe has been a revelation in recent times but her awkward draw of three on the second row won’t do her any favours in a tricky semi-final.
Some of the most talented three-year-old’s in the series have drawn in the second semi-final for the boys and the barrier draws have divided opinions.
Bit Of A Legend for Cran Dalgety will start from five while compatriot Border Control starts from just inside him in four.
Standout Victorian Nowitzki had his chances dealt a blow when he drew the 11 marble while the promising Chilli Palmer will have to come from the second-widest draw of 12 to qualify for the final.
Mindarie Priddy – arguably the star of the pacing series – has drawn seven, giving her the chance to find her feet early in a small field of eight for the first of the semi-finals for two-year-old fillies.
New Zealand’s main hope for the juvenile girl’s series, Te Amo Bromac, will start from barrier four with Des McQueen Classic winner Fon Design in pole position.
The last race on the night has seen repechage winner Quick Draft come up with barrier one for David Aiken and Chris Alford.
Out wider is Whereibylong for Emma Stewart, who produced the filly for a strong first-up win in her heat late last month.
For the full fields, barrier draws and form on Saturday night’s Blue Chip Farms Breeders Crown semi-final meeting at Ballarat simply click here.
