My Oberon may not start in Group 1 Epsom Handicap after bad draw

Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald import My Oberon is no guarantee to run in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap following the barrier draw.

My Oberon is in doubt for the Group 1 Epsom Handicap on Saturday. Picture: Reg Ryan/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Trainer Rob Archibald concedes My Oberon could now be saved for the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes after drawing the dreaded outside barrier for Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5m Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick.

Archibald and co-trainer Annabel Neasham will deliberate whether their gun import starts in the Epsom in the coming days after a capacity field of 20 runners and one emergency declared for the major mile on Tuesday.

My Oberon showed he was back to his best with a close second to Fangirl in the 7 Stakes last start but has drew barrier 21 for his third-up assignment in the Epsom Handicap.

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"That's arrogant!"

Fangirl bounces back in style to win the $1 million 7+ Sport Stakes! 🩷@[e-mail]/3s9FYRs2iL

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 21, 2024

“We will wait and see how feasible it is,” Archibald said.

“(Barrier) 21 is traditionally quite difficult but he is going well and if we feel he can get his chance from the draw, he will take his place but if he can’t, we will look for another option.

“The blinkers went back on for his second-up run (in the 7 Stakes) and up to a mile was always going to suit him.

“It’s disappointing with the draw because we thought he was going really well and he was a real chance, albeit carrying a bit of weight.”

My Oberon ($13), a placegetter in both the Doncaster Mile and King Charles III Stakes, would carry the topweight of 56.5kg in the Epsom with Nash Rawiller booked to ride.

The King Charles III Stakes is staged on The Everest day a fortnight later.

Meanwhile, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Royal Patronage remains a $4.50 favourite for the race despite his tricky draw in barrier 17 with Tim Clark booked.

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Royal Patronage has drawn out in barrier 17. Picture: Jeremy Ng-Getty Images

Chris Waller will saddle up more than a third of the field with talented campaigner Kovalica ($6) an outright second pick with champion rider James McDonald aboard from the inside draw.

Stablemate Rediener ($17) is looking to become the first horse since Desert War in 2004/05 to win back-to-back Epsom Handicaps while Democracy Manifest ($13), Chrysaor ($26), Molly Bloom ($71), McHale ($34) and Firestorm ($34) also get their chance.

The Joseph Pride-trained Ceolwulf is still a $7 third elect as the Watwick Farm conditoner chases his second Epsom.

Neasham and Archibald still have $101 outsider Galeron ready to run in the Epsom with the Irish-bred galloper drawn perfectly in barrier four.

“He’s got an excellent draw and a high pressure mile will suit him down to the ground too,” Archibald said.

“We are happy with the way he is going and felt he deserved to take his chance in a race like this.”

A field of nine runners was revealed for the Group 1 $750,000 Flight Stakes (1600m) with boom filly Autumn Glow ($1.60 fav) a clear horse to beat.

Originally published as My Oberon may not start in Group 1 Epsom Handicap after bad draw