Fangirl draws outside in three-pronged Chris Waller attack in 7 Stakes at Randwick

Top mare Fangirl is a clear favourite in the 7 Stakes at Randwick but her barrier puts stablemates Zougotcha and Hinged right into the contest.

Chris Waller’s heavy handed approach to Saturday’s $1m 7 Stakes (1600m) has been evened up by an “awkward draw” to star mare Fangirl at Royal Randwick.

Fangirl ($2.25 fav) is still the horse to beat but her life was made a little harder after drawing the outside in barrier nine with champion rider James McDonald aboard.

The gun daughter of Sebring finished third in the same race last year behind Think It Over and Zaaki and comes into the race in similarly top form after finishing third in the Group 1 Winx Stakes first-up.

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Waller will also saddle up stablemates Zougotcha and Hinged, who have fared favourably with draws in gates three and two respectively.

Zougotcha beat home Fangirl first up with a gutsy second in the Winx Stakes while Hinged returned to her best with a runner up finish in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes last start.

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The Waller trio make up three of the top four in betting with Zougotcha at $4 while Hinged at $9.50.

“You can’t go into feature races thinking you are home and hosed,” Waller’s assistant trainer Charlie Duckworth said.

“Yes on paper it says it should be you would think but Fangirl has drawn another awkward gate, because that’s what she does, just to make life a little bit harder.

“Hinged and Zougotcha have drawn beautifully and they both roll up close to the speed so will afford themselves every chance.

“It probably evens it up a little bit.”

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Fangirl and Zougotcha are likely to meet again next start in the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on October 19 while Hinged is poised to line up in the Group 1 $1.5 million Epsom Handicap (1600m).

Fangirl has drawn wide in the 7 Stakes.

Several leading The Everest contenders will put their credentials on the line in the Group 2 $1m The Shorts (1100m) where a field of 12 runners has been declared.

Brilliant Concorde Stakes winner I Am Me ($3.60) will look to enhance her claims for the richest race on turf alongside The Everest placegetter Private Eye ($5.50), Golden Slipper victor Lady Of Camelot ($5.50) and Godolphin sprinter Aft Cabin ($7.50).

Originally published as Fangirl draws outside in three-pronged Chris Waller attack in 7 Stakes at Randwick